Travis Kelce
Travis Michael Kelce (born October 5, 1989) is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. Drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he helped lead the Chiefs to victories in Super Bowls LIV, LVII, and LVIII. Kelce played college football at the University of Cincinnati. Recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Kelce is a ten-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro, with four first-team and three second-team selections.
No. 87 – Kansas City Chiefs | |
Kelce in 2024 | |
Position: | Tight end |
Born: | October 5, 1989 Westlake, Ohio, U.S. |
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight: | 250 lb (113 kg) |
High school: | Cleveland Heights (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) |
College: | Cincinnati (2008–2012) |
NFL draft: | 2013 / round: 3 / pick: 63 |
Roster status: | Active |
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Receptions: | 1,004 |
Receiving yards: | 12,151 |
Receiving touchdowns: | 77 |
Total touchdowns: | 80 |
He holds multiple NFL records, including the most consecutive and overall seasons with 1,000 receiving yards by a tight end (seven seasons). In 2020, he set the record for most receiving yards in a single season by a tight end (1,416 yards) despite playing only 15 games. During the 2022 season, Kelce became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. In 2023, he surpassed Jerry Rice in career playoff receptions and helped lead the Chiefs to Super Bowl LVIII, marking his fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons. Kelce was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Beyond football, Kelce has appeared on reality and scripted television, starring in the dating show Catching Kelce on E! and hosting Saturday Night Live in March 2023. He co-hosts the popular podcast New Heights with his brother Jason Kelce, covering football and pop culture. The podcast ranked as the 8th most popular in the US on Apple Podcasts in 2024. Kelce's high-profile relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has received widespread media attention, boosting NFL viewership and revenue. Born in Westlake, Ohio, Kelce is the son of Ed Kelce, a former steel industry sales representative, and Donna Kelce, a former bank executive. His older brother, Jason Kelce, was the longtime center for the Philadelphia Eagles. In January 2025, the Kelce brothers revealed their Croatian heritage. Kelce attended Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. As a senior quarterback in 2007, he recorded 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 1,523 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, earning All-Lake Erie League honors.
Personal life
Travis Kelce began dating Maya Benberry, the winner of his dating show Catching Kelce, after the show concluded in April 2016. However, their relationship ended in January 2017. From 2017 to 2022, Kelce was in a long-term relationship with social media influencer Kayla Nicole Brown. In 2023, Kelce started dating global pop icon Taylor Swift. Their high-profile romance has led many to refer to them as a "supercouple," with some even calling them "America’s royal couple." Kelce's relationship with Swift has significantly expanded his popularity beyond NFL fans, attracting a broader audience, which contributed to him receiving the most fan votes for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. Swift's presence at Chiefs games during the 2023 NFL season generated massive media attention, increasing ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and television viewership. Some of the games she attended broke records, including a Chiefs–Chicago Bears game, which became the most-watched game of the weekend. The Chiefs–New York Jets Sunday night matchup drew an average of 27 million viewers, making it the most-watched Sunday night show since Super Bowl LVII. Additionally, the Chiefs–Buffalo Bills divisional playoff game on January 21, 2024, became the most-watched NFL divisional playoff game in history. The Chiefs–Baltimore Ravens AFC Championship Game also set records as the most-watched AFC Championship game ever. When the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVIII, some referred to it as the "Taylor Swift Bowl." A sports marketing analysis estimated that Kelce and Swift’s relationship boosted the Kansas City Chiefs' franchise value by $331.4 million in just six months. In June 2024, Kelce made a surprise appearance during Swift’s Eras Tour concert at Wembley Stadium, joining her on stage in a top hat and tails for her performance of I Can Do It with a Broken Heart.
Outside of football, Kelce enjoys playing golf during the offseason. He has competed in several celebrity tournaments, including the American Century Championship, where he won the long drive contest in 2023. That same year, he participated in The Match VIII, teaming up with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to take on Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Kelce and Mahomes emerged victorious. Kelce owns multiple homes in the Kansas City area and a condo in Orlando, Florida. He is also an avid car collector.
College Career
Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Kelce accepted a scholarship from the University of Cincinnati over offers from Akron, Eastern Michigan, and Miami (OH). He joined his older brother, Jason Kelce, who was the Bearcats' starting left guard. After redshirting in 2008, Kelce played in 11 games in 2009, appearing at both tight end and quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He recorded eight rushing attempts for 47 yards and two touchdowns, along with one reception for three yards. Kelce was suspended for the entire 2010 season after testing positive for marijuana, violating team rules. Returning in 2011, he resumed playing tight end, finishing with 13 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. His senior season in 2012 was his most successful, as he set career highs with 45 receptions, 722 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns while averaging 16.0 yards per reception. He earned first-team all-conference honors and was recognized as the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year in March 2013. Kelce officially graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree. In April 2024, he received his diploma during a special podcast event at Fifth Third Arena alongside his brother, Jason Kelce.
Travis Kelce – Professional Career
NFL Draft & Early Years (2013–2015)
Travis Kelce was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. His rookie season was cut short due to a knee injury, but he returned in 2014 and quickly became a key player, leading the team in receiving yards.
Rise to Stardom & Super Bowl LIV Win (2016–2019)
Kelce recorded his first 1,000-yard season in 2016 and became one of the NFL's top tight ends. He helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV in 2019, securing their first championship in 50 years.
Record-Breaking Seasons & Super Bowl LV Loss (2020–2021)
In 2020, he set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a season (1,416) and became the first to achieve five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl but lost to Tampa Bay.
Super Bowl LVII & LVIII Wins (2022–Present)
Kelce continued to dominate, breaking playoff records and helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII in 2022 and Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. He became the fastest tight end to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.
Legacy
A 10-time Pro Bowler and 7-time All-Pro, Kelce is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. His influence extends beyond football, with a strong media presence and cultural impact.
Top 5 Awards & Honors of Travis Kelce
- Super Bowl Champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII) – Won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- 10× Pro Bowl Selection (2015–2024) – Recognized as one of the league’s best tight ends.
- 7× All-Pro Selection – Four-time First-Team (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) and three-time Second-Team (2017, 2019, 2021).
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team – Acknowledged as one of the best players of the decade.
- Most 1,000-Yard Seasons by a Tight End (7) – Holds the NFL record for consecutive and total seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards.
References:
- American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament. (n.d.). https://americancenturychampionship.com/
- Fowler, J. (2024, July 12). Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL’s top 10 tight ends for 2024 - ESPN. ESPN. https://www.espn.in/nfl/insider/story/_/id/40284104/ranking-nfl-top-10-tight-ends-2024-execs-coaches-scouts-make-their-picks-best-game
- Google Search. (n.d.). https://www.google.com/search?q=+Kansas+City+Chiefs&sca_esv
- IMDb. (n.d.). Maya Benberry. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5533266/
- Jenkins, K. (2025, January 8). Who has the most 1000-yard receiving seasons in NFL history? - ESPN. ESPN. https://www.espn.in/nfl/story/_/id/43337149/who-most-1000-yard-receiving-seasons-nfl-history
- Lutkin, A. (2025, February 7). All about Travis Kelce’s parents, Ed and Donna Kelce. ELLE. https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a61412335/who-are-travis-kelce-parents-ed-donna-kelce/
- Mackintosh, T. (2025, February 10). Super Bowl: Taylor Swift, Jay-Z and Donald Trump among stars in New Orleans. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75zgwpv06no
- Nfl. (2025, January 24). Super Bowl LIX - event info overview - welcome and Gameday info with halftime performer. NFL.com. https://www.nfl.com/super-bowl/event-info/
- Official website of the Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs.com. (n.d.). Kansas City Chiefs. https://www.chiefs.com/
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, February 13). National Football League (NFL) | History, teams, & facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Football-League
- Tight end « College Football Performance Awards. (n.d.). http://collegefootballperformance.com/offensive-awards/tight-end/
- Travis Kelce stats, news and video - TE | NFL.com. (n.d.). NFL.com. https://www.nfl.com/players/travis-kelce/