Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has solidified himself as the premier player at his position in the NFL, and his extraordinary talent is expected to earn him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he decides to retire.
At 33 years old, Kelce currently ranks fourth in all-time receiving yards among tight ends, with an impressive 10,344 yards to his name. What’s more, he holds the record for the highest average receiving yards per game (71.8) in the history of the league among tight ends.
However, Kelce’s journey to stardom was not without its challenges.
During his time at the University of Cincinnati, he faced a setback that could have derailed his football career. In an interview on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, hosted by Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Kelce revealed that he was suspended for his redshirt sophomore season due to a failed drug test resulting from excessive partying leading up to the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
“I got kicked out of college because of it,” Kelce candidly admitted. “I partied a little too much down there, got hit with a drug test, and from that point on, I realized I gotta tighten the f*ck up.”
While Kelce’s past transgression is not news, what’s remarkable is how it shaped his football career. Prior to the suspension, Kelce was primarily a two-star prospect who played both tight end and quarterback, often operating from the Wildcat formation.
However, the violation compelled him to transition into the role of a more conventional tight end. Little did he know that this disciplinary incident would become a defining moment that would revolutionize the position.
“What it did was it really kicked me into the tight end room. I was still playing QB then,” Kelce shared, reflecting on the violation. “It was like, ‘Alright, you can come walk on the team, but we don’t need a quarterback. You can just be an athlete on the scout team for a year, we’ll figure it out.'”
Upon his return to the field in 2011, Kelce made a significant impact, catching 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns for the Bearcats. He continued to excel during his senior season, recording 45 receptions for 722 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kelce attributes his ability to regain his position on the team to the support of his brother and college teammate, Jason Kelce.
“He went into the coaches’ office and talked to numerous coaches to try and give me another chance,” Kelce said. “I’m forever in debt to this guy for putting his name, our name – the Kelce name – on the line. When I say I owe it all to him, I really do.”
In the 2013 NFL Draft, Kelce was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round. Five months ago, he and his brother Jason made history as the first brothers to face off in a Super Bowl.
Additionally, Travis Kelce became the first tight end in NFL history to lead the Super Bowl-winning team in receiving yards twice.
While the suspension was undoubtedly a difficult period for the Kelce brothers, it ultimately steered the younger brother’s life in a new and transformative direction.
From his rocky college days to his current position as arguably the league’s most dominant tight ends, Kelce’s redemption story serves as an inspiration to all those who face adversity on their journey to success.
If Kelce didn’t focus in on tight end at Cincinnati, he may have never made it to the NFL.
Will he go down as the greatest tight end in NFL history?
Is he already?