Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Travis Kelce
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Travis Kelce made an impact.
Travis Kelce is a professional American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Chiefs, he played college football at the University of Cincinnati. Kelce has won three Super Bowls (LIV, LVII, and LVIII) with the Chiefs, establishing himself as one of the premier tight ends in the NFL.
June 6, 2013: Signed Rookie Contract with Chiefs
On June 6, 2013, Travis Kelce signed a four-year, $3.12 million rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, including a signing bonus of $703,304.
2013: Drafted by Kansas City Chiefs
In 2013, Travis Kelce was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the NFL draft.
2015: First Multiple Touchdown Game
In 2015, Travis Kelce started the season with his first NFL multiple touchdown game against the Houston Texans and earned his way to his first Pro Bowl.
January 2016: Starred in Catching Kelce
In January 2016, Travis Kelce starred in the E! Entertainment Television dating show Catching Kelce, where he chose Maya Benberry as the winner.
January 29, 2016: Signed Contract Extension
On January 29, 2016, Travis Kelce signed a five-year, $46 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.
2018: Record-Breaking Season
In 2018, Travis Kelce had a record-breaking season, initially breaking the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end, finishing the season with 103 receptions, 1,336 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns, and was named first-team All-Pro. Later the record was broken by George Kittle.
2019: Recited "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" after AFC Championship Game
After the 2019 AFC Championship Game, Travis Kelce recited the chorus from the Beastie Boys' song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" during team celebrations.
2019: Participated in Discussions Around Black Boys Documentary
In 2019, Travis Kelce and other NFL players joined students in virtual class discussions around the U.S. to discuss 'Black Boys', a Malcolm Jenkins-produced documentary that examines social and emotional effects of racism against Black men, showing his commitment to social justice.
2019: Four Consecutive 1,000-Yard Seasons
In 2019, Travis Kelce became the first tight end in NFL history to record four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.
2019: Founded Hilo Nutrition
In 2019, Travis Kelce founded his own health brand, Hilo Nutrition, which sells gummy supplements for performance nutrition and other health benefits.
2019: Hosted Fundraiser for Rose Brooks Center
In 2019, Travis Kelce hosted a meet and dance event to raise funds for the "Rose Brooks Center", a Kansas City-based organization that provides shelter to women, children, and their pets in situations of domestic violence, highlighting his commitment to supporting local charities.
2019: Invested in Cholula Hot Sauce
In 2019, Travis Kelce invested in the private equity firm L Catterton's purchase of the condiment brand Cholula Hot Sauce.
January 2020: Launched Tru Kolors brand
In January 2020, Travis Kelce launched his own sportswear and lifestyle brand, named Tru Kolors.
August 14, 2020: Four-year contract extension with the Chiefs
On August 14, 2020, Travis Kelce signed a four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs, committing to the team through the 2025 season.
2020: Record-Breaking Season
During the 2020 NFL season, Travis Kelce set a single-season yardage record for a tight end with 1,416 yards and became the first tight end with two 100-catch seasons. He also earned his sixth Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors.
2020: Appeared in Moonbase 8
In 2020, Travis Kelce appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the first episode of the comedy series Moonbase 8.
2020: Earned from McCormick & Company's acquisition of Cholula Hot Sauce
In 2020, Travis Kelce earned four times his investment when McCormick & Company acquired the condiment brand Cholula Hot Sauce for $800 million.
2020: NFL Record for Receiving Yards
In 2020, Travis Kelce set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,416 yards, despite playing in only 15 games.
2020: Nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
In 2020, Travis Kelce was nominated by the Chiefs for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and won the NFL's Charity Challenge Award, recognizing his generosity and philanthropic efforts.
December 25, 2021: Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List
On December 25, 2021, Travis Kelce was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, allowing him to return to play for the Chiefs.
2021: Released Nike x Kelce Blazer Mid '77 Vintage sneaker collection
In 2021, Travis Kelce released a signature sneaker collection as part of a deal with Nike, called Nike x Kelce Blazer Mid '77 Vintage.
August 2022: Hy-Vee began manufacturing Kelce's Krunch
In August 2022, Hy-Vee began manufacturing "Kelce's Krunch", a limited-edition frosted cornflakes breakfast cereal named after and endorsed by Travis Kelce.
September 2022: Launched New Heights podcast
In September 2022, Travis Kelce and his brother Jason launched a weekly sports podcast called "New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce".
2022: 10,000 Career Receiving Yards
During the 2022 season, Travis Kelce became the fifth NFL tight end to reach 10,000 career receiving yards, achieving this milestone faster than any other tight end in NFL history.
2022: Record-Breaking Season Continues
In 2022, Travis Kelce had an NFL record-breaking 33rd 100-yard receiving game among tight ends, recorded his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season, and finished the season with 110 receptions for 1,338 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.
2022: Tru Kolors collaboration with Kansas City Chiefs
In 2022, Travis Kelce's brand Tru Kolors became the first brand by an NFL player to launch an official merchandise collaboration with an NFL franchise: the Kansas City Chiefs.
February 2023: Rise in popularity of New Heights podcast
In February 2023, the "New Heights" podcast experienced a rise in popularity when Travis and Jason faced off in Super Bowl LVII. It reached No. 1 in Apple sports podcasts.
March 4, 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On March 4, 2023, Travis Kelce hosted Saturday Night Live, and appeared in a sketch with his brother Jason and SNL cast members Heidi Gardner and Chloe Fineman.
April 2023: Launched Kelce Jam music festival
In April 2023, Travis Kelce announced the launch of his own annual music festival called Kelce Jam in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The first edition featured artists including Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, Loud Luxury and Tech N9ne, and it sold out with 18,000 people in attendance.
May 2023: Signed with Creative Artists Agency
In May 2023, Travis Kelce signed with Creative Artists Agency for off-the-field representation while keeping his agent for his NFL representation.
September 11, 2023: Featured in Kelce Documentary on Amazon Prime
On September 11, 2023, Travis Kelce was featured in Kelce, a feature-length documentary about his brother Jason's football career and private life that was released on Amazon Prime. Within 24 hours, it was the most-watched movie among U.S. subscribers to the streaming service.
September 2023: New Heights became the No. 1 sports podcast in the U.S. and globally on Spotify
After the premiere of the second season in September 2023, the podcast "New Heights" became the No. 1 sports podcast in the U.S. and the No. 1 sports podcast globally on Spotify and No. 1 among all podcasts on Apple.
October 14, 2023: Cameo Appearance on Saturday Night Live
On October 14, 2023, Travis Kelce made a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live, adding to his off-field media presence.
2023: Super Bowl LVIII Win
During the 2023 season, Travis Kelce surpassed Jerry Rice in career playoff receptions en route to winning Super Bowl LVIII. This marked his fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons.
2023: Estimated $5 million in off-the-field earnings
In 2023, Business Insider estimated that Travis Kelce makes $5 million a year in off-the-field earnings and stated that "he was one of football's most successful endorsers."
2023: Second Super Bowl Win
In 2023, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs beat the Eagles 38–35 in Super Bowl LVII to win his second Super Bowl. Kelce caught six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in the game. He was ranked fifth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
2023: Became an executive producer and was cast in Grotesquerie
In 2023, Travis Kelce became an executive producer of the war comedy-drama film "My Dead Friend Zoe" (2024) and the documentary "King Pleasure". He was also cast in his first major acting role in Ryan Murphy's FX horror series "Grotesquerie".
2023: Invested in Alpine Formula One team
In 2023, Travis Kelce joined a group of investors to buy a stake in Alpine, a UK-based French Formula One team.
2023: Performed with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show
In 2023, Travis Kelce performed the song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.
2023: Won long drive contest at American Century Championship and participated in The Match VIII
In 2023, Travis Kelce won the long drive contest at the American Century Championship. He also participated in The Match VIII, teaming up with Patrick Mahomes and winning against Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
2023: Relationship stimulated interest in the Chiefs and NFL
In 2023, Travis Kelce's relationship with Taylor Swift stimulated interest in the Chiefs and the NFL, breaking viewership, ticket sales, and merchandise sales records.
2023: Featured on the cover of "Fairytale of Philadelphia" and topped the US iTunes chart
In 2023, Travis Kelce, along with his brother Jason, was featured on the cover of "Fairytale of Philadelphia". The song topped the US iTunes chart and reached number five on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart.
January 21, 2024: Chiefs-Bills game became most-watched NFL divisional playoff game ever
On January 21, 2024, the Chiefs–Buffalo Bills game became the most-watched NFL divisional playoff game ever.
April 29, 2024: Signs contract extension making him highest-paid tight end
On April 29, 2024, Travis Kelce signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs for a reported $34.25 million, making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
2024: Third Super Bowl Win
During Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, Travis Kelce had nine receptions for 93 yards, leading the game in receiving yards, and secured his third Super Bowl win with the Chiefs defeating the 49ers 25-22 in overtime. He was ranked ninth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.
2024: Donation to Kansas City Parade Shooting Victims
In 2024, Travis Kelce donated $100,000 to the family of two children who were seriously wounded in the Kansas City parade shooting, showcasing his support for the community.
2024: Became owner and operator of Garage Beer
In 2024, Travis Kelce teamed up with his brother Jason as significant owners and operators of the light beer company Garage Beer.
2024: Executive producer of My Dead Friend Zoe
In 2024, Travis Kelce was an executive producer of the war comedy-drama film "My Dead Friend Zoe".
2024: Hosting "Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?"
In 2024, it was announced that Travis Kelce will host a reboot for the game show 'Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?' on Amazon Prime Video. The show will be titled 'Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?' with a 20-episode season.
February 27, 2025: Announces Plans for 2025 Season
On February 27, 2025, Travis Kelce announced that he would play in the 2025 season, which would be his final year under contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
August 2025: Launched a design collaboration with American Eagle Outfitters
In August 2025, Travis Kelce launched a design collaboration with American Eagle Outfitters.
October 2025: Partnered with Jana Partners and opened 1587 Prime
In October 2025, Travis Kelce partnered with activist investment firm Jana Partners to push American theme park company Six Flags to improve its marketing and guest experiences. Also in 2025, Mahomes and Kelce opened a steak house called 1587 Prime at the Loews Hotel Kansas City.
October 25, 2025: Breaks franchise record for total touchdowns
On October 25, 2025, in a game against the Denver Broncos, Travis Kelce broke the franchise record for total touchdowns with his eighty-fourth overall. He had nine total catches for 91 yards in the game.
March 9, 2026: Agrees to one-year contract with the Chiefs
On March 9, 2026, Travis Kelce agreed to a one-year contract worth $12 million with a maximum value of $15 million to return to the Chiefs. The contract was later altered and extended to three years, worth $54.7 million.
2026: Became brand ambassador for Six Flags
In 2026, Travis Kelce became the brand ambassador for American theme park company Six Flags.
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