Champagne Problems for Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce further cemented his spot as a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer with a third Super Bowl win in February.

Kelce seemed to have taken a step back in 2023, receiving fewer than 1,000 yards for the first time in eight seasons. However, come playoff time, Kelce exploded, going for 355 receiving yards and three TDs, showing that when he needs to, he can still turn it on.

Kelce may have a spot in Canton waiting for him, yet he is comfortably the second-most famous person in his relationship, with Taylor Swift dominating the headlines between the two. For those initiated with Travis Kelce lore, let's take a look back over his career to see how he got to this spot.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Travis Kelce was born October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio to the now-famous duo of Ed and Donna Kelce.

Travis was always a great sportsman, lettering in three sports during his time in high school, and excelling in football and basketball.

During his time in high school, Travis played quarterback, earning All-Lake Erie League honors after showcasing his talent with a 2,539 all-purpose yard season during his senior year.

With big brother Jason already there, Travis accepted a chance to play football at the University of Cincinnati. He was relatively unknown in recruiting circles, only earning three scholarship offers. The chance to play alongside his brother for the first time was too tempting to pass up.

For Travis, his time at Cincinnati got off to an indifferent start, playing sparingly as a red-shirt freshman as a tight end and wildcat quarterback, he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire.

Travis’ red-shirt sophomore year was spent suspended from the team after failing a team drug test. This was the only chance both Kelce brothers would have spent time together on a football field as Kelce had risen to starting center by 2010 and Travis would have seen the field far more.

2012 saw Travis finally showcasing his talents at the collegiate level in his red-shirt senior year. He racked up 772 yards and eight touchdowns from the tight end position.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

The 2013 NFL draft saw Travis Kelce taken in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs. There had been a chance to join Jason in Philadelphia but the Eagles selected Zach Ertz a round earlier, meaning the brothers would be on opposing teams for the first time.

The Chief’s head coach, Andy Reid, had previously coached Jason in Philadelphia so knew the Kelce family and how hard Jason had been willing to work at his craft. He took a swing on Travis believing he would be able to get the best out of him.

It was soon obvious that Kelce was going to be a superstar in the NFL, putting up over 850 yards in his second and third years in the league. Generally tight end is a position that takes time to master but Travis was a rare player to hit the ground running immediately.

After an impressive start to his career, the Chiefs were keen to lock down Kelce to a long-term contract, offering him $46 million over five years on January 26th, 2016.

The next year, the Chiefs were able to draft Patrick Mahomes with the tenth overall pick. A selection that would help take both the franchise and Travis Kelce to a whole new level.

There was an instant connection between Mahomes and Kelce, often Kelce doesn’t even have a set route in a play call, he is simply tasked with getting open. Mahomes’ ability to extend the play and throw passes most can’t even comprehend is the perfect complement to Kelce’s knack for finding soft spots in opposing defenses.

In just his third season in the league, and second as starter, Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs and Travis Kelce to their first Super Bowl win since 1969. Kelce caught six targets for 43 yards and a TD in the game.

The 2022 season saw the Chiefs and the Eagles dominate throughout, both teams comfortably steamrolling all opposition put in their path. This led to the first-ever Super Bowl to feature brothers on opposing teams, a moment both Travis and Jason will remember forever, although the memories will be slightly happier for Travis after the Chiefs emerged as 38-35 winners.

Travis Kelce recently wrapped up his 10th year in the NFL, with over 11,000 yards and 70 touchdowns, per ESPN, hauled in over the years, he is destined for the Hall of Fame. His brother, Jason just finished 13th year with the Eagles and looks set to join his younger brother in Canton with a Super Bowl ring of his own and six All-Pro selections, he is one of the best to ever play along the offensive line.