Travis Kelce is widely regarded as one of the best NFL players in his position, but it’s not just his on-field prowess that catches attention – his off-field relationship with superstar Taylor Swift also makes headlines. But who exactly is Travis Kelce, and how did his high-profile romance with Swift come to be?
In addition to delving into his relationship with Swift, it’s essential to explore other aspects of Kelce’s life, such as his salary at the Kansas City Chiefs and the role his family plays in his success – not to mention his college scandals.
1. Travis Kelce Family & Background: From Quarterback to Tight End
Quick Facts: Travis Kelce
- Name: Travis Michael Kelce
- Date of Birth: October 5, 1989
- Birthplace: Westlake, Ohio (USA)
- Marital Status: Unmarried, Girlfriend Taylor
- Height: 6′ 5″ (1.96 m)
- Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Position: Tight End
- Jersey Number: 87
Travis Kelce was born on October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio. He grew up with his older brother, Jason, who is also an NFL professional. Their parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, were always supportive of their sons’ athletic pursuits.
Both Travis and Jason were highly enthusiastic about sports, even in high school in Cleveland. Travis played football, basketball, and baseball. Initially, he was a quarterback before transitioning to the tight end position.
Following high school, just like his brother, Travis attended the University of Cincinnati and played for the Bearcats as a tight end.
Travis’ journey to the NFL mirrored that of his brother. He was drafted in the third round as the 63rd overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since his rookie season, Kelce has consistently delivered impressive performances. He evolved into one of the league’s top tight ends, achieving seven consecutive seasons with over 1,000 passing yards.
Kelce secured his first Super Bowl victory with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, defeating the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been dominating the league. Their strong connection helped the team secure their second Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2023 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kelce has been selected for the Pro Bowl nine times, and in 2016, he was named Pro Bowl MVP.
2. Travis Kelce’s Significant Other: Taylor Swift by His Side
Travis Kelce has been making quite an impression on the football field as the Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end. However, his newfound global fame can be attributed to his current girlfriend.
Since September 2023, Travis Kelce has been romantically linked to pop superstar Taylor Swift, who regularly attends Kansas City Chiefs games to support her beau.
But how did Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift first cross paths?
The story began when Kelce admitted in an interview that he attempted to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his number on it during her Eras Tour. Regrettably, his effort went unnoticed as Swift did not meet him backstage, leaving him “a bit upset.”
Following this, rumors surfaced that Kelce and Swift had been spotted together multiple times in New York until Swift attended a Kansas City Chiefs game on September 24, 2023.
After the game, both superstars exited the stadium together, sparking a media frenzy with countless stories and paparazzi clamoring for pictures of the lovebirds.
Although there hasn’t been an official confirmation that Taylor Swift is Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, actions and pictures speak louder than words.
The couple is seen together in public more frequently, even celebrating their Super Bowl entry together in January 2024. In a memorable moment, Taylor Swift rushed onto the field after the game to embrace and kiss her significant other.
Speculation now revolves around the possibility of a Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift wedding, rumored to be happening in the not-too-distant future.
3. Travis Kelce Salary & Net Worth: His Contract with the Chiefs
Travis Kelce is one of the league’s top tight ends, and his contract reflects that status.
Though Travis Kelce’s salary isn’t on par with those of NFL starting quarterbacks, the tight end still earns an impressive income.
Kelce’s current contract with the Kansas City Chiefs spans four years and is worth approximately $57 million, with around $23 million guaranteed.
This means that Travis Kelce’s average annual salary is about $14 million. For comparison, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes earns a whopping $45 million per year.
Travis Kelce’s Salary – Year by Year
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $405,000 | $703,304 | $1,108,304 |
| 2014 | $495,000 | – | $531,000 |
| 2015 | $585,000 | – | $678,000 |
| 2016 | $675,000 | $9,842,000 | $10,646,000 |
| 2017 | $2,700,000 | – | $3,418,750 |
| 2018 | $6,800,000 | – | $8,050,000 |
| 2019 | $7,500,000 | – | $8,750,000 |
| 2020 | $8,500,000 | – | $9,294,294 |
| 2021 | $5,250,000 | – | $11,805,872 |
| 2022 | $2,893,333 | – | $10,500,000 |
| 2023 | $11,250,000 | – | $12,161,755 |
| 2024 | $12,000,000 | – | $13,000,000 |
| 2025 | $16,250,000 | – | $17,250,000 |
With his contract, Kelce ranks among the highest-paid players at his position. The top earner among tight ends is Darren Waller of the New York Giants, with an average annual salary of $17 million. Kelce’s salary places him at the fourth position among tight ends.
As a veteran in the NFL, a significant net worth has likely accumulated for Travis Kelce.
Over his eleven years in the NFL, Kelce has earned approximately $77 million. His current estimated net worth is $40 million.
Kelce is a popular figure for advertisements, not only due to his relationship with Taylor Swift. For example, he has appeared in a commercial for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, reportedly earning around $20 million.
Travis Kelce also promotes brands like Nike, T-Mobile, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Alongside his friend and Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes, he frequently appears in commercials for Subway Sandwiches. His relationship with superstar Swift has likely further increased his advertising market value.
4. Travis Kelce: Brother Jason Always a Strong Support
### Kelce Podcast: Soaring to Success
The Kelce family’s passion for football is unmistakable. Ed and Donna Kelce encouraged their sons on their journey to the NFL and continue to attend almost every game today.
Throughout Travis Kelce’s career, his brother Jason has played a significant role. The siblings attended the same high school and college before achieving success in the NFL in their respective positions. Travis made his mark as a tight end, while Jason became a celebrated center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
In February 2023, they achieved a unique milestone as the first pair of brothers to face off in a Super Bowl.
In an interview, Travis Kelce mentioned that he had imagined playing the Super Bowl alongside Jason but added, “playing against him and meeting him there was one the most extraordinary moments of my life. I don’t know if any moment can ever compare to being able to compete at the highest level with my brother.”
Kelce Podcast: New Heights Soars to Success
The strong bond between the Kelce brothers is reflected in their joint podcast venture. In “New Heights,” the NFL stars discuss NFL events, their games, or merely share their daily life experiences every week. Fans can look forward to amusing stories and engaging conversations with special guests, often featuring other NFL players.
The Kelce Podcast is released every Wednesday and is available on most podcast platforms.
5. Travis Kelce Scandal: Dismissal from College
Despite his now successful NFL career, Travis Kelce’s path was not always clear due to his discipline issues during his early years.
Additional NFL Topics:
In 2010, Kelce faced a one-year suspension from college after testing positive for drugs. This suspension, however, led to Kelce reevaluating his priorities and resulted in a significant improvement in his performance. In his final college season, he was awarded the “Tight End of the Year.”
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