Travis Kelce is undoubtedly one of the most dominant and versatile players in the National Football League (NFL). He serves as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that clinched consecutive Super Bowl victories in 2020 and 2021. With six Pro Bowl appearances, three All-Pro selections, and the holder of numerous NFL records for his position, Kelce’s legacy in the league is firmly established. As of 2023, the net worth of Travis Kelce is estimated to be around $30 million, primarily accrued through his lucrative contract with the Chiefs and endorsement deals with various brands. But what paved the path to his incredible success and affluent lifestyle? What secrets lie behind his exceptional performance and wealth? In this article, we will delve into the life and career of Travis Kelce, unraveling the story of how he amassed his fortune. Whether you’re a football enthusiast or simply curious about the net worth of one of the league’s most popular players, this is a read you won’t want to miss. Continue on to discover more.
Travis Kelce’s Early life and career
Travis Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio, to Ed and Donna Kelce. His father worked as a sales representative in the steel industry, and his mother was a former bank executive. He has an older brother, Jason Kelce, who is also a professional football player and a center for the Philadelphia Eagles. Travis grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where he attended Cleveland Heights High School and played football, basketball, and baseball. He was a three-year letter winner as quarterback for the Tigers and earned All-Lake Erie League honors after totaling 2,539 yards of total offense as a senior.
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How did he start playing football?
Travis Kelce continued his football career at the University of Cincinnati, where he played for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2008 to 2012. He started as a quarterback but switched to tight end after redshirting his freshman year. He missed the 2010 season due to a violation of team rules, but returned in 2011 and recorded 13 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior year, he had a breakout season with 45 receptions for 722 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big East honors. He also threw a game-winning 39-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in the Belk Bowl against Duke.
Kelce entered the 2013 NFL Draft and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round with the 63rd overall pick. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.1 million. However, he missed most of his rookie season due to a knee injury that required microfracture surgery. He only played in one game and did not record any statistics.
Rise to stardom
Travis Kelce became one of the most dominant and versatile players in the NFL after his rookie season. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and has been named to the All-Pro first team four times. He holds the NFL record for having the most consecutive seasons and the most overall seasons with 1,000 yards receiving by a tight end, achieving this feat for seven seasons. He also owns the record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season with 1,416 in 2020, despite playing in only 15 games. He also briefly held the single-season record in 2018 before it was broken later that same day. During the 2022 season, Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 10,000 career receiving yards, and he became the fifth tight end in NFL history to reach the milestone. Kelce was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Kelce’s success is largely attributed to his connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who joined the Chiefs in 2017. The duo has formed one of the most lethal combinations in the league, as they have combined for 4,881 yards and 37 touchdowns in four seasons. Kelce has been Mahomes’ favorite target, especially on third downs and in clutch situations. Kelce has also been praised for his blocking ability, his route running, and his versatility to line up anywhere on the field.
Kelce’s impact on the Chiefs’ offense has been instrumental in helping them win two Super Bowls in 2020 and 2021. He recorded a touchdown reception in both wins, becoming one of only four tight ends to do so. In Super Bowl LIV, he caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. In Super Bowl LVII, he caught nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.
Kelce’s stats and accolades rank him among the greatest tight ends of all time. He is currently fourth on the all-time list for receptions by a tight end with 825, behind Tony Gonzalez (1,325), Jason Witten (1,228), and Antonio Gates (955). He is also fourth on the all-time list for receiving yards by a tight end with 10,439, behind Gonzalez (15,127), Witten (13,046), and Gates (11,841). He is tied for seventh on the all-time list for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 71, behind Gates (116), Rob Gronkowski (86), Gonzalez (111), Jimmy Graham (82), Witten (74), and Shannon Sharpe (62). However, Kelce has achieved these numbers in fewer games than any of them. He also has more postseason receptions (83), yards (993), and touchdowns (9) than any other tight end in NFL history.
Travis Kelce’s Lifestyle and Spending Habits
Travis Kelce is not only a successful and wealthy athlete but also a lavish and generous one. He owns a luxurious apartment in Kansas City, which reportedly features fireside lounges, a rooftop pool, and a gym. Additionally, he boasts an impressive car collection, including an Aston Martin Vanquish, a GMC SUV truck, and a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Kelce is far from shy when it comes to showcasing his style and fashion sense, often seen in flashy outfits and accessories.
Kelce is also well-known for his charitable activities and donations. His foundation, 87 & Running, aims to empower disadvantaged youth through education, business, athletics, and the arts. He has hosted several events and fundraisers for his foundation, such as the Kelce Car Jam and the RealTruck giveaway. Furthermore, he has lent his support to other causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Operation Breakthrough, and the Special Olympics.
Rumors of Dating Taylor Swift
Kelce’s personal life and relationships have frequently been in the spotlight, particularly when he was rumored to be dating pop star Taylor Swift. The two were spotted together at a Chiefs game in September 2023, with Swift cheering from the friends-and-family suite alongside Kelce’s mother. They were also seen leaving the stadium in a classic American muscle car. Kelce later confirmed that he and Swift were “hanging out” but did not disclose any details about their relationship, emphasizing his desire to keep his love life private and focus on his football career. Prior to Swift, Kelce dated sports reporter Kayla Nicole for five years, but they parted ways in 2023 amid cheating allegations. He also had a brief relationship with model Maya Benberry, whom he met on his dating show, “Catching Kelce,” in 2016, but they split after a few months.
Travis Kelce net worth in 2023
Travis Kelce is one of the wealthiest and most successful players in the NFL, with an estimated net worth of around $30 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has amassed most of his wealth through his football career, particularly from his contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.1 million with the Chiefs in 2013, after being drafted in the third round. He then inked a five-year extension worth $46 million in 2016, establishing himself as one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league at that time. In 2020, he secured another four-year extension worth $57.25 million, guaranteeing him an annual salary of $14.3 million until 2026.
In addition to his football earnings, Kelce has also generated income from endorsements and sponsorships with various brands and companies, including Nike, Old Spice, Bose, McDonald’s, Head & Shoulders, and others. Furthermore, he has launched his own clothing line called “Eighty-Seven & Running,” which offers apparel and accessories inspired by his jersey number and foundation.
Kelce’s foundation, “87 & Running,” serves both as a source of income and a means to give back to the community. The foundation’s mission is to empower disadvantaged youth through education, business, athletics, and the arts. Kelce has organized several events and fundraisers for his foundation, such as the Kelce Car Jam and the RealTruck giveaway.
Beyond football and philanthropy, Kelce has explored other avenues in entertainment and business. He hosted his own dating show called “Catching Kelce” in 2016, where he dated 50 women from different states. Additionally, he has made appearances in commercials and shows, including ESPN’s SportsCenter, NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, and Netflix’s Game On. He even collaborated with rapper Tech N9ne on a song called “Red Kingdom,” celebrating the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory in 2020.
Kelce’s net worth is expected to continue growing as he remains a dominant force in the NFL and explores other opportunities. There have also been rumors of him dating pop star Taylor Swift, who has a net worth of approximately $400 million. If they were to become a couple, they would undoubtedly be one of the wealthiest and most famous pairs in the world.
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