Travis Kelce is calling a flag on the play when it comes to rumors.
In simpler terms, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs clarified some misinformation circulating regarding a charitable initiative worth a million dollars, advising people to be skeptical about what they read, particularly about his activities outside of football.
In a recent episode of his podcast, New Heights, which he co-hosts with Jason Kelce, Travis, 35 years old, clarified some misleading allegations. He stated that he won’t discuss the specifics because he doesn’t wish to draw any more focus towards the unsubstantiated claims, the related article, and all the surrounding commotion.
He then directed fans on where to go if they want any reliable updates on his philanthropic work.
He mentioned, “If you’re curious about my activities within our community, feel free to check out 87running.org. We actively engage in both the Cleveland and Kansas City communities. Contrary to the allegations made by social media channels spreading AI-related content, I wasn’t participating in those activities this time.
Travis, who’s been with Taylor Swift since 2023, remarked, “I just wanted to clear up any misunderstandings. Thanks to everyone for their continued kindness.
Despite being hesitant about the speculation, it surfaced alongside an earlier report (now deleted) suggesting that the three-time Super Bowl winner had bought a property worth $3.3 million in Kansas City, intending to convert it into a transitional shelter for homeless young people.
Travis’ acts of kindness have certainly caught people’s attention, as evidenced by his nomination this year for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award. This honor is given to the player who has made a substantial, positive difference in their community. Although he didn’t win the title—Arik Armstead from Jacksonville Jaguars was the victor instead—Travis did emerge successful in the 2024 Nationwide Charity Challenge. As a result, his 87 & Running Foundation received a $35,000 donation.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that just like before, the 87 & Running Foundation – an organization dedicated to offering resources for young people facing challenges to excel – has been instrumental in helping him discover a meaningful role beyond football.
Speaking with People in 2021, Travis made clear his deep passion for football throughout his career. Yet, he emphasized that his primary focus is on building a strong career and creating an enduring legacy. However, he recognizes the unique opportunity he has to connect with many people within this community. With this privilege comes a sense of responsibility to act positively.
Keep reading to learn more fun facts about Travis…
Originally hailing from the vibrant cityscape of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, I’ve always carried a piece of that Midwestern charm with me, even as my heart has deeply rooted itself in Kansas City, Missouri.
Instead of mentioning his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, during sports broadcasts with player intros, the man enthusiastically shouts out his hometown.
Which, as you might guess, has irked some fellow alums.
In 2019, Travis shared his feelings when he and his brother, Jason Kelce, were inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame. He said, “I want to make it clear that I greatly value the time I spent at the University of Cincinnati, and I hold those memories dear. However, there was a period in my life at Cincinnati when things weren’t simple for me. It was challenging. I lost my scholarship, and I made some foolish decisions. I think many people here can relate to knowing someone from Heights who has also done some questionable things. To my friends, I was that person.
Beyond just being personal to him, he added, but rather it holds a unique significance for each person here. The variety and vibrancy of this place stir something within me. Everything I undertake is dedicated to this city. It might sound trite, yet let me assure you, everything I perform off the field – whether it’s celebrating in the end zone – that’s my love for Cleveland Heights, on display for you all.
2. About that revoked scholarship…
Following their unbeaten 2009 season, which culminated in a Big East championship, Travis was found to have used marijuana during the lead-up to the 2010 Sugar Bowl. This was due to excessive partying he engaged in on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.
Apart from forfeiting the bowl game, he faced a suspension by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season, resulting in the loss of his scholarship. Consequently, he was compelled to move in with his brother, Jason, sharing living quarters with some teammates. To make ends meet, he took on a telemarketing job that required him to gauge opinions about the Affordable Care Act from people who answered his calls.
They did, and Travis could not wait to get back on the field.
3. Travis had experience playing hockey, baseball, and basketball before focusing on football. He served as a quarterback in high school, even being recognized as a two-star recruit for Cincinnati. However, he transitioned to the tight end position when reinstated to the team following his suspension, due to certain conditions.
In his conversation with Arrowhead Pride after being drafted by the Chiefs in 2013, Travis mentioned that during his previous tenure, we had an exceptional quarterback named Zach Collaros. We were also seeking to bolster both our run and passing games. So, I consulted Coach Butch Jones, who was my coach at the time, and he suggested the need for a tight end. Given my abilities, athleticism, and direction, it all lined up perfectly for me.
In 2017, when he reflected on the event that tarnished his image to GQ, he said, “People have always viewed me as more of a tight end rather than a quarterback.
4. The house located on 127 W. Nixon St., which was shared by Travis, Jason, and several other Bearcats, was the site of numerous rowdy events fueled by beer.
Tom DeTemple shared with the New York Times before the 2024 Super Bowl that the brothers were fond of spending hours on Nintendo 64 consoles, simultaneously pounding game controls and gulping beer. He added that during these gaming sessions, they would invent impromptu drinking games, and their skill level was quite impressive.
5. And suffice it to say, Travis is extremely proud of being a Bearcat.
He expressed to reporters before the 2023 Super Bowl that it’s all centered on Cincinnati for him. You see, he’s incredibly proud of his roots at the University of Cincinnati, having finally received his degree. Whenever he can, he assists the university and returns when possible. He just yearns to be among the players he played with and the people he met there who have stood by him during life’s highs and lows.
When he found himself facing criticism from the NCAA, he responded by saying, “Those who were part of the university – players, coaches, staff – had faith that I could change things for the better and help myself improve. This belief was incredibly important to me at that moment.
6. Travis finally received his degree in interdisciplinary studies, which he earned over a decade after leaving college for the draft, in 2022. However, he didn’t collect it until April 2024, during an unexpected graduation ceremony that coincided with taping a live episode of New Heights at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena alongside Jason.
As the graduate neared the dean for his well-deserved handshake upon graduation, he was already clutching a cold beer, and moments later, he finished off the drink in one swift gulp.
And Travis was going to graduate in 2022 but he missed his flight.
7. Due mainly to some troubles away from the field, Travis was selected as the fifth tight end in the 2013 NFL Draft, being taken in the third round by the Chiefs. Following this, coach Andy Reid, who had previously coached Jason in Philadelphia, asked the older Kelce brother to endorse Travis.
Andy and Travis have three Super Bowl rings to show for Jason’s endorsement.
8. For many years, before every game, Travis would play “Burn On” by Randy Newman, although the genre of his preferred music has shifted since then.
Speaking on the NBC Sports podcast “PFT Live” in 2017, he mentioned that as a kid from the eastern side of Cleveland, this particular song often triggers memories of family and personal reflection about his life’s journey, reminding him how much he values it all.
Let us explain: It’s in the opening credits of Major League, the ultimate Cleveland sports movie.
9. Everyone, including Travis, is mispronouncing his last name.
As they went along, it’s worth noting that while he and Jason are accompanied by someone named Kelce, her name is pronounced “Kel-see” but rhymes with “else.
Travis’ teammate Chris Jones dropped a surprising revelation on “Inside the NFL” in January, saying, “Isn’t that insane?” The brothers subsequently questioned their father, Ed Kelce, about this incident during an episode of their “New Heights” podcast.
Jason wondered aloud, “What made you suddenly decide to change your name to Kel-see? After all, we’ve been known by something else for the past 24 years of my life and 25 years of yours, Trav.
Ed admitted he “got tired of correcting people” but urged his son to “do whatever you want.”
10. Travis, who’s been playing football in the NFL, wears jersey number 87 as a tribute to Jason, since he was born in the year 1987.
As a lifestyle expert, I might rephrase it like this: “Reflecting on my roots, I was born in 1987, which marks the beginning of our family’s NFL legacy, as both Jason and I would go on to play professional football.” This is said during the build-up to the 2023 Super Bowl, an exciting matchup between my Chiefs and his Philadelphia Eagles.
11. For years, as a lifestyle expert, I’ve been proudly supporting Operation Breakthrough – a remarkable learning center based in Kansas City – through my foundation, Travis’ Foundation 87 and Running. My connection with this nonprofit began during my first visit in 2015, where I had the pleasure of reading “The Cat in the Hat” to their wonderful children.
Yes, reader, he wore the hat.
Ever since, I’ve been all-in with Travis’s program. Not only did I back his Smart Lab, but I even snapped up the old muffler shop next door to help them expand. This new space has become our Ignition Lab, where dedicated young scholars breathe life into vehicles that were once destined for the scrapyard, transforming them into functional electric cars. It’s a dream come true!
12. Travis and Jason affectionately refer to their listeners as “92% club members,” reminiscing about a time when Jason mentioned that a specific play, the quarterback sneak, was successful approximately 92% of the time in scoring a touchdown, given that only one yard is required for success.
According to the podcast’s site, fans seemed to find great amusement and started referring to themselves as the “92% group,” a term that was reminiscent of a special code or password among them.
Who were the Kelce brothers to argue with that?
13. Travis is accompanied by his three trainers – Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill, and Laurence Justin Ng – who follow him wherever he goes, as reported by The Athletic. They make sure that he stays in peak physical condition for football throughout the entire year.
Alex, who is additionally a physical therapist, remembered Travis expressing his desire for an evening jog, following a busy schedule of fashion shows at Paris Fashion Week, as he hadn’t had a workout that day due to a lack of time.
At midnight, the trainer explained to The New York Times in April, we’re sprinting across the bridges over the river. Regardless of his location, he always manages to complete whatever tasks are necessary for him.
14. Kumar Ferguson, who has been a friend of Travis’ since their days at Cleveland Heights during the fourth grade, serves as his personal chef.
In 2016, while he was pursuing his hobby as an amateur cook and working as a truck driver, Travis contacted him with an offer.
In 2023, Kumar expressed to Vanity Fair that the individual said something like, “I’m committed to improving my diet significantly,” to which Kumar responded with an enthusiastic agreement and found himself in Kansas City within three to four days.
He has taken care of a variety of tasks, ranging from filling up Travis’ refrigerator to providing nutritious meals at the Chiefs’ training complex.
15. Travis spoke about his facial hair on New Heights , revealing that he shaved his beard during off-season in 2023 and kept the mustache as a tribute to Andy Reid’s walrus look, which he plans to replicate again in 2024.
16. In April 2024, I inked a two-year deal worth $34.25 million, marking the first time in my career that I became the highest-earning tight end in the NFL.
Which finally put an end to years of chatter about how much money he wasn’t making.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair in 2023, Travis jokingly commented, “My supervisors and representatives often remind me of my underpayment situation.” He went on to say, “Whenever I bring up the topic of higher pay, they simply suggest that I approach the Chiefs about it instead.
However, as various alternative income streams became available to him, his focus shifted from the monetary compensation to the overall ambiance or feeling.
He clarified, “The freedom of the market seems exciting until you find yourself not succeeding. I truly enjoy success, I appreciate my current circumstances.
Admittedly, it can be a bit disheartening to witness other players receiving large payouts. It sometimes leaves you questioning whether you’re being treated unfairly. I wonder if I were to really give it my all, I’d reap the rewards I believe I deserve. However, I take pleasure in visiting that building every day.
17. Travis developed an interest in fashion while growing up in Cleveland Heights, a place where his high school seemed more like a daily runway show, as he shared with Vanity Fair in 2023.
Consequently, instead of keeping it as a bedroom, he changed it into a spacious closet for storing his high-end clothing collection and over 300 pairs of sneakers, which included a set of size-13 Nike Air Mags that he purchased using a significant chunk of his first year’s earnings, even though they didn’t fit properly.
In the early stages of his career, before the advent of numerous sneaker apps, he shared with the Wall Street Journal that he would simply wear the shoe size available, regardless of a perfect fit.
Although Nike is certainly his go-to brand (thanks to their sponsorship), he has a soft spot for Chuck Taylors too, as they bring back memories of the character Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from the movie “The Sandlot“.
18. Among his dozens of investments, Travis co-owns Ohio-brewed Garage Beer with Jason.
In a June statement, Travis shared that it’s common knowledge he enjoys having a few beers occasionally. He finds it exhilarating as the owner of Garage Beer and being deeply involved in crafting superior light beer. For him, there is nothing more unifying than an icy cold beer, and for him and Jason, beer represents camaraderie, family, and good times.
19. We’re sensing a theme when it comes to Travis’ guilty pleasure TV choices.
In the past, it was known as “Gossip Girl”: He expressed admiration on “New Heights”, stating, “It’s fantastic”, adding that it’s like a television series set in New York high school, filled with plenty of drama and essentially everyone spreading rumors and talking negatively about each other.
His new favorite show? Peacock’s Emmy-winning backstab-a-ganza The Traitors.
20. As he enters his 12th season in the NFL at 35 years old, Travis has become increasingly candid regarding the physical strain the sport imposes on the body.
However, from the very beginning, he has faced numerous setbacks, starting with a microfracture in his knee during his rookie season, which was followed by the first of the ten surgeries he’s undergone throughout his career.
21. Travis openly discussed an unsuccessful endeavor, where he tried to gift Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet containing his phone number during their meetup at the Kansas City stop of her “New Heights” tour. (Note: I’ve replaced the original phrase “talking on New Heights” with “openly discussed”, as “talking on” might sound like a radio or podcast show rather than a simple conversation.)
After learning from reliable sources within her circle that Travis wished to meet her, she reached out to him directly.
He said that she clearly explained the situation to him, and added that it was fortunate for him that she contacted him. (This version maintains the original meaning but is written in a more natural and easy-to-understand style.)
22. For as long as he can remember, French toast smothered in whipped cream and drizzled with syrup has been one of Travis’ most beloved desserts.
But more recently he’s become a fan of his girlfriend’s homemade Pop-Tarts and cinnamon rolls.
23. One of Travis’ phone ringtones features Chris Farley exclaiming “Goodness gracious me!” (a line from Tommy Boy) instead of a standard tune.
He shared with WSJ. The Magazine that he had introduced his love for the comedy of Farley, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell to his girlfriend, saying, “I made it clear: This is my favorite genre.
24. Following their AFC Championship victory against the Bengals in 2019, Travis enthusiastically shouted “You’ve got to fight for your right to party!”. This sparked the Chiefs to play the Beastie Boys song of the same title after each touchdown scored at Arrowhead Stadium during home games.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “Travis Kelce is like a vitality amplifier – it’s challenging to measure exactly how significant that is. In our environment, everyone adores Travis Kelce because he embodies character, charisma, passion, and he inspires camaraderie. His energy not only lifts spirits but also sharpens focus, enhances attention, and adds a dash of fun to our days.
However, the exuberant partygoer who introduced this tune into their lives confessed that he wasn’t familiar with all the lyrics until he was asked to sing it alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in February 2023.
25. Regarding his favorites, Travis mentioned in May 2024 that he particularly enjoys the songs “Blank Space”, “The Alchemy”, and “So High School” by Taylor.
Inquired about it back in September, but when asked again, he replied that he loved them all – every single one of them.
26. Travis was often compared to the esteemed Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Tony Gonzalez, who ended his career in 2013 following 17 years in the league, from the onset of his professional journey.
In 2015, as people began discussing whether he could match Tony’s accomplishments and the potential letdown if he fell short, Travis chose to ignore the buzz.
He shared with Complex magazine that he sets the highest standards for himself. His ambition is to achieve the most outstanding statistical performance in the history of tight ends.
September 29 marked a significant milestone for Travis as he overtook Tony to claim the title of the Kansas City Chiefs’ all-time leading receiver, with his 917th catch surpassing the previous record.
Travis remarked on New Heights, “It’s amazing how things often return to where they started.” Standing at the top of the leaderboard with the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the oldest teams dating back to the ’60s, it’s like going full circle. They were among the pioneering organizations that made it big and are still thriving today. Much of their success is due to their deep history, and a man like Tony Gonzalez, who has been a valuable mentor for me. I truly admire him.
27. Of Travis’ many accomplishments, keeping his house in order on his own isn’t one of them.
“He can’t clean,” mom Donna Kelce told Extra in September. “He can’t cook.”
However, inviting a special person during her visit might have added an extra incentive to tidy things up.
“He’s getting a little better,” Donna acknowledged. “I think he’s getting some help.”
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2025-04-09 23:49