History of Travis Kelce in Timeline

Travis Kelce is a highly accomplished American football tight end currently playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. Drafted in 2013, Kelce has become a key player for the Chiefs, contributing significantly to their success, including Super Bowl victories in LIV, LVII, and LVIII. Prior to his NFL career, Kelce played college football at the University of Cincinnati, showcasing his talent and potential early on. He is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends in the NFL.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: Beastie Boys Release "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)"

In 1986, the Beastie Boys released their song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)", which Travis Kelce would become known for reciting during Chiefs' Super Bowl celebrations.

1987: "Fairytale of New York" Released

In 1987, "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl was originally released.

October 5, 1989: Travis Kelce's Birth

On October 5, 1989, Travis Michael Kelce was born. He later became a professional football tight end.

Others born on this day/year

2003: New England Patriots Super Bowl Champions

In 2003, The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2004: New England Patriots Super Bowl Champions Again

In 2004, The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2007: Senior Year Football Stats

In 2007, as a senior at Cleveland Heights High School, Travis Kelce ran for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns and threw for 1,523 yards and 21 touchdowns.

2008: Redshirted at Cincinnati

In 2008, Travis Kelce redshirted at the University of Cincinnati.

2009: Appeared in 11 games

In 2009, Travis Kelce appeared in 11 games for the Cincinnati Bearcats, playing at tight end and quarterback, and tallied 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

2010: Suspended for Marijuana Use

In 2010, Travis Kelce was suspended for the season after testing positive for marijuana, violating team rules.

2011: Jason Kelce Drafted by Eagles

In 2011, Andy Reid drafted Jason Kelce to the Eagles during his time as head coach.

2011: Returned to Play Tight End

In 2011, Travis Kelce returned to the Cincinnati Bearcats, playing tight end and recording 13 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

2012: Set Collegiate Season Highs

In 2012, Travis Kelce set personal season highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in his last collegiate season.

March 2013: Named Tight End of the Year

In March 2013, Travis Kelce was named the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year.

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.

October 12, 2013: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 12, 2013, Travis Kelce was placed on injured reserve after having microfracture surgery on his knee.

2013: Longest-Tenured Member

In 2013, Travis Kelce became tied as the Kansas City Chiefs' longest-tenured member of the team.

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.

2014: Received Chiefs' Ed Block Courage Award

In 2014, Travis Kelce received the Chiefs' Ed Block Courage Award.

2014: Leading Receiver for Chiefs

In the 2014 season, Travis Kelce was the Chiefs' leading receiver, with 862 yards off 67 receptions.

2015: Created Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation

In 2015, Travis Kelce created a foundation called Eighty-Seven & Running in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, with the goal of "empowering underprivileged youth".

2015: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 2015, Travis Kelce earned his way to his first Pro Bowl after recording 72 catches for 875 yards and five touchdowns.

January 2016: Starred in "Catching Kelce"

In January 2016, Travis Kelce starred in the E! Entertainment Television dating show Catching Kelce, ultimately choosing 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.

April 2016: Began Dating Maya Benberry

In April 2016, Travis Kelce began dating Maya Benberry, the winner of his dating show.

December 20, 2016: Named to Second Pro Bowl

On December 20, 2016, Travis Kelce was named as a starter in his second career Pro Bowl.

2016: Ranked 91st in NFL Top 100

In 2016, Travis Kelce was ranked 91st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

January 2017: Split with Maya Benberry

In January 2017, Maya Benberry confirmed that she and Travis Kelce had broken up.

December 19, 2017: Named to Third Straight Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Travis Kelce was named to his third straight Pro Bowl.

2017: Kneeled During National Anthem

In 2017, Travis Kelce became one of the highest-profile white NFL players to kneel during the national anthem in protest against police brutality, racism, and social inequalities in America.

2017: Ranked 26th in NFL Top 100

In 2017, Travis Kelce was ranked 26th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2018: Record-Breaking Season

During the 2018 season, Travis Kelce broke the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season, before George Kittle surpassed him later that day. He finished with 1,336 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

2018: Ranked 21st in NFL Top 100

In 2018, Travis Kelce was ranked 21st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2019: Hilo Nutrition Founded

In 2019, Kelce founded his own health brand, Hilo Nutrition, which sells gummy supplements for performance nutrition and other health benefits.

2019: Investment in Cholula Hot Sauce

In 2019, Kelce invested in the private equity firm L Catterton's purchase of the condiment brand Cholula Hot Sauce, expanding his investment portfolio.

2019: Joined Virtual Class Discussions

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.

2019: Recited Beastie Boys song after AFC Championship

In 2019, Travis Kelce became known for reciting the chorus from the Beastie Boys' 1986 song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" during team celebrations, first after the AFC Championship Game.

2019: Surpassed 1,000 Receiving Yards for the Fourth Consecutive Season

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: Hosted Meet and Dance Event

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. In 2019, Kelce participated in a charity celebrity softball game to raise funds for the Lake Health Foundation.

January 2020: Tru Kolors Clothing Brand Launch

In January 2020, Kelce launched his own clothing brand, Tru Kolors, expanding his business ventures.

August 14, 2020: Signed Contract Extension

On August 14, 2020, Travis Kelce signed a four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Chiefs through the 2025 season.

2020: Profit from Cholula Acquisition

In 2020, Kelce earned four times his investment when McCormick & Company acquired Cholula Hot Sauce for $800 million, marking a successful investment venture.

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: Set 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, recording 1,416 yards despite playing only 15 games.

2020: Ranked 18th in NFL Top 100

In 2020, Travis Kelce was ranked 18th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2020: Nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

In 2020, the Chiefs nominated Travis Kelce for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. That same year, fans voted him the winner of the NFL's Charity Challenge Award.

2021: Nike x Kelce Sneaker Collection Release

In 2021, Kelce released a signature sneaker collection as part of a deal with Nike, called Nike x Kelce Blazer Mid '77 Vintage which included six shoes inspired by facets of Kelce's life.

August 2022: Kelce's Krunch Cereal Launch

In August 2022, Hy-Vee began manufacturing "Kelce's Krunch", a limited-edition frosted cornflakes breakfast cereal endorsed by Kelce, with proceeds benefiting his charity foundation.

September 2022: New Heights Podcast Launch

In September 2022, Travis Kelce and his brother Jason launched a weekly sports podcast called New Heights, discussing NFL news and their games, marking a new chapter in their careers.

2022: Reached 10,000 Career Receiving Yards

During the 2022 season, Travis Kelce reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the fastest NFL tight end to reach this milestone.

2022: Sports Podcast of the Year

In 2022, New Heights was named the Sports Podcast of the Year by Sports Illustrated, marking an achievement for the Kelce brothers' media venture.

2022: Graduation

In 2022, Travis Kelce graduated with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

2022: End of Relationship with Kayla Nicole Brown

In 2022, Travis Kelce's relationship with social media influencer Kayla Nicole Brown ended.

2022: Tru Kolors and Chiefs Collaboration

In 2022, Tru Kolors became the first brand by an NFL player to launch an official merchandise collaboration with the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a significant achievement.

February 2023: Podcast Popularity Surge

In February 2023, the New Heights podcast experienced a rise in popularity when Travis and Jason Kelce faced off in Super Bowl LVII, reaching top positions on podcast charts.

March 4, 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live

On March 4, 2023, Travis Kelce hosted Saturday Night Live, appearing in a sketch with his brother Jason and SNL cast members Heidi Gardner and Chloe Fineman.

March 5, 2023: Hosted Saturday Night Live

On March 5, 2023, Travis Kelce hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.

April 2023: Kelce Jam Launch

In April 2023, Travis Kelce launched his annual music festival called Kelce Jam in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The event featured artists like Machine Gun Kelly and sold out quickly, marking a new venture for Kelce.

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 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 and became the most-watched movie among U.S. subscribers within 24 hours.

September 2023: New Heights No. 1 Sports Podcast

After the premiere of the second season in September 2023, New Heights became the No. 1 sports podcast in the U.S. and globally on Spotify as well as No. 1 among all podcasts on Apple.

October 14, 2023: Made Cameo on SNL

On October 14, 2023, Travis Kelce made a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live.

October 2023: Travis Kelce's Kitchen Launch

In October 2023, Kelce and Walmart launched Travis Kelce's Kitchen, a line of seven barbecue products inspired by the flavors of Kansas City, further diversifying his business portfolio.

2023: Surpassed Jerry Rice in Playoff Receptions

During the 2023 season, Travis Kelce surpassed Jerry Rice in career playoff receptions and won Super Bowl LVIII.

2023: Estimated Earnings

In 2023, Business Insider estimated that Kelce makes $5 million a year in off-the-field earnings, recognizing him as one of football's most successful endorsers.

2023: Investment in Alpine F1 Team

In 2023, Kelce joined a group of investors, including actor Ryan Reynolds and teammate Mahomes, to buy a stake in Alpine, a UK-based French Formula One team, diversifying his investments into sports.

2023: Increased Interest in Chiefs and NFL

In 2023, Kelce's relationship with Taylor Swift stimulated interest in the Chiefs and the NFL, boosting viewership and sales.

2023: Became Executive Producer

In 2023, Travis Kelce became an executive producer of the war comedy-drama film My Dead Friend Zoe (2024) and of the documentary King Pleasure about the life of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

2023: Began Dating Taylor Swift

In 2023, Travis Kelce began dating singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, leading to widespread media attention.

2023: Performed with Jimmy Fallon

In 2023, Travis Kelce performed the Beastie Boys song "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)" with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.

2023: Featured on "Fairytale of Philadelphia"

In 2023, Travis Kelce was featured with his brother Jason on the cover of "Fairytale of New York" (1987) by the Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl, titled "Fairytale of Philadelphia", which appeared on the 2023 album A Philly Special Christmas Special.

2023: Long Drive Contest Win

In 2023, during the American Century Championship, Kelce won the long drive contest, showcasing his golfing skills.

January 21, 2024: Most-Watched Divisional Playoff Game

On January 21, 2024, the Chiefs–Buffalo Bills game became the most-watched NFL divisional playoff game ever and the most-watched program on any network since Super Bowl LVII, driven by increased interest due to Kelce's relationship.

April 2024: Received Diploma at Podcast Event

In April 2024, Travis Kelce received his diploma during a podcast event with his brother Jason at the Fifth Third Arena.

April 29, 2024: Signed Two-Year Extension with Chiefs

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.

June 2024: Eras Tour Concert Appearance

In June 2024, Kelce joined Swift onstage at her Eras Tour concert in Wembley Stadium, dancing during her performance of "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart".

2024: Partnership with Garage Beer

In 2024, Kelce teamed up with his brother Jason as significant owners and operators of the light beer company Garage Beer.

2024: Donated to Family of Shooting Victims

In 2024, Travis Kelce donated $100,000 to the family of two children who were seriously wounded in the 2024 Kansas City parade shooting. Kelce is among the Kansas City celebrities who have hosted the Big Slick charity event and gala, which benefits the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy Hospital; in 2024, Kelce and teammate Mahomes contributed game-worn Chiefs jerseys to a lot of NFL items that went for $250,000 at the charity auction.

2024: Contributed Vocals to "It's Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights)"

In 2024, Travis Kelce returned to contribute vocals to the song "It's Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights) on A Philly Special Christmas Party.

2024: Cast in Ryan Murphy's "Grotesquerie"

In 2024, Travis Kelce was cast in his first major acting role in Ryan Murphy's FX horror series Grotesquerie where he will star opposite Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance, and Lesley Manville.

2024: Ranked Ninth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2024

In 2024, Travis Kelce was ranked ninth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.

2024: Announced as Host of "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?"

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.

2024: "New Heights" Podcast Popularity

In 2024, the podcast "New Heights," co-hosted by Travis Kelce, was ranked as the 8th most popular podcast in the US on Apple Podcasts.

2024: Kelce Jam Second Edition

In 2024, the second edition of Kelce Jam saw 20,000 fans in attendance with headlining performances from 2 Chainz, Diplo and Lil Wayne, showing growth in the festival's popularity.

January 2025: Revealed Croatian Ancestry

In their January 2025 podcast, the Kelce brothers revealed their Croatian ancestry.

February 27, 2025: Announced Return for 2025 Season

On February 27, 2025, Travis Kelce announced that he will play in the 2025 season in what will be his final year under contract with Kansas City.

2025: Most Fan Votes for Pro Bowl Games

Kelce's relationship with Swift has significantly increased his popularity with casual and non-NFL fans who were more familiar with Swift, such as resulting in him receiving the most fan votes for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.