Travis Kelce’s journey from an $8-an-hour worker to a $34 million superstar in the NFL shows his strength, hard work, and the importance of second chances.
Born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio, Travis is the son of Ed and Donna Kelce, who established strong values in their children.
Ed worked as a sales representative in the steel industry, while Donna was a bank executive.
Travis grew up alongside his older brother Jason, who would also carve out a successful career in the NFL as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Travis attended Cleveland Heights High School and was involved in multiple sports, including football, basketball, and baseball.
After graduation, he accepted a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati over offers from other schools like Akron and Eastern Michigan.
Kelce Got Suspended From The Football Team For An Entire Year Due To Marijuana Use, Which Cost Him His Scholarship And Left Him Lost In Life
Despite his promising start, his college time was not an easy ride. In 2010, he struggled to find stable housing and was later suspended from the football team for an entire year due to marijuana use.
This all started on September 7th, 2,009, when the Bearcats opened the season against Rutgers.
He was having the time of his life playing quarterback in college with his brother, Jason. But it only lasted one game.
Travis didn’t play much during the rest of the season, a season that ended with the Bearcats in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
Days before the game, Travis was out on Bourbon Street drinking, smoking, partying, and doing things he wasn’t supposed to do.
However, Travis played the game, but after a positive test for marijuana, head coach Butch Jones called him into his office and said,
“Son, you’re off the team, I’m taking your scholarship.You’ll never play it down. Of a football here at the university of Cincinnati again. That kind of stuff is inexcusable,and I will not tolerate it on my football team. “
Via ESPN
This period was one of the lowest points in his life. The incident also cost him his scholarship and left him lost in life, not knowing how to go.
However, with the support of his brother Jason and their coach Butch Jones, Travis was given a second chance.
He was allowed back on the team under strict conditions—he had to maintain a 3.0 GPA and attend all classes.
Travis worked as a telemarketer to support himself financially during this challenging time, earning $8 an hour.
He described this experience as eye-opening,
“All I had been doing is playing outside… I had never sat down and tried to earn a living like that.”
He realized that if he focused on football instead of being a “knucklehead,” he could achieve much more than his current situation.
His brother Jason’s success in the NFL played a decisive role in motivating him.
After Jason was drafted by the Eagles in 2011, Travis returned to the field with renewed resolution.
Switching from quarterback to tight end at Cincinnati proved beneficial; he developed during his senior year with impressive stats that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Travis Kelce’s Hard Work Paid Off In Securing A $34 Million Contract With The Kansas City Chiefs.
In 2013, despite not being selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft—a disappointment for someone who believed he was better than many who were chosen—Travis received a call from Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
This moment changed everything for him. Travis joined the Chiefs as their third-round pick and quickly became a key player.
Since then, Kelce has become one of the NFL’s most extraordinary tight ends.
He has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowls LIV and LVII with the Chiefs.
His record-breaking performances include being the fastest tight end to reach milestones such as 10,000 receiving yards and achieving seven consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.
From earning $8 an hour as a telemarketer, Kelce became a celebrated NFL superstar with $34 million in contracts. His journey proves that dedication and support from family and mentors can lead to remarkable achievements.
His NFL path shows that even when life presents obstacles, decisions can lead to extraordinary achievements on and off the field.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He was a three-year letter winner as quarterback for the Tigers in high school.
- Travis signed a two-year extension with the Chiefs, reinforcing his status as one of the highest-paid players.
- Kelce began dating singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in 2023.
