Travis Kelce Champion Tight End

October 5, 1989, in Westlake, Ohio, Travis Kelce has established himself as one of the premier tight ends in the history of professional football.  

College Career:

Travis Kelce attended the University of Cincinnati from 2008 to 2012. Initially recruited as a quarterback, he transitioned to tight end. After redshirting his freshman year, he saw limited action in 2009, also playing in the "Wildcat" formation. He was suspended for the entire 2010 season due to a failed drug test. Upon his return in 2011, Kelce began to showcase his potential at tight end, recording 13 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns. His senior season in 2012 was his breakout year, as he set career highs with 45 receptions for 722 yards and eight touchdowns, earning First-team All-Big East honors and the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year. He completed his degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2022.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Kelce was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. After a quiet rookie season, he became a full-time starter in 2014 and quickly developed into one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' most trusted targets. Kelce has played his entire NFL career with the Chiefs (2013-present), consistently demonstrating exceptional receiving and blocking abilities.  

Football Legacy:

Travis Kelce is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Known for his exceptional route running, receiving skills, and chemistry with Patrick Mahomes, he has redefined the tight end position in the modern NFL. Kelce holds numerous records for tight ends, including the most consecutive and most overall seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards. He has been instrumental in the Kansas City Chiefs' sustained success, helping them win three Super Bowl championships (LIV, LVII, and LVIII). His consistent high-level performance and impact on the game have solidified his status as a future Hall of Famer.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ 3x Super Bowl Champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)  

✦ 4x First-team All-Pro (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022)  

✦ 3x Second-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)  

✦ 10x Pro Bowl (2015-2024)  

✦ NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

✦ First-team All-Big East (2012)  

✦ College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year (2012)  

✦ NFL Records: Most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end (7), most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a tight end (7), most receiving yards in a season by a tight end (1,416 in 2020), fastest tight end to reach 10,000 and 12,000 career receiving yards, most career postseason receptions (174), most career postseason receiving yards by a tight end (2,039), most career postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end (20).  

✦ Career Stats (as of Week 17, 2024): 175 games played, 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards, 77 receiving touchdowns, 80 total touchdowns.  

Sources and related content
Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com

Relive the improbable Hall of Fame career of Emmitt Thomas, an undrafted defensive back who became a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs' defense.

"Lockdown" Legend: The Unbelievable Journey of Emmitt Thomas

Born on June 3, 1943, in Angleton, Texas, Emmitt Thomas defied expectations from the very beginning of his professional football journey. Despite his impressive 6-foot-2, 192-pound frame and undeniable athletic talent, the defensive back from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, went unselected in the 1966 NFL Draft. However, the Kansas City Chiefs, recognizing his potential, signed him as a free agent, a decision that would prove to be one of the franchise's shrewdest moves.

College Career:

Emmitt Thomas honed his skills at Bishop College, a historically Black college. While primarily known for his defensive prowess in the pros, Thomas showcased his versatility in college, playing wide receiver and even some quarterback in addition to his duties in the secondary. It was his athletic ability and raw talent that caught the eye of a Chiefs scout, leading to his unexpected opportunity in professional football.

Road to the Pro Game:

Going undrafted presented a significant hurdle, but Thomas seized his chance with the Chiefs. He made the team in 1966 and quickly proved his worth. Despite the initial oversight by other NFL teams, Thomas's talent and dedication shone through, earning him a spot on the Chiefs' roster and the beginning of a remarkable career.

Football Legacy:

Emmitt Thomas became a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs' defense for 13 seasons (1966-1978), establishing himself as one of the premier cornerbacks of his era. His impact on the franchise is undeniable, setting a Chiefs' club record with 58 career interceptions, a mark that still stands. The 1969 season was particularly special, as he led the AFL with 9 interceptions, followed by an incredible playoff performance with three more picks, including one in the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In 1974, he recorded an astounding 12 interceptions, just two shy of the NFL record at the time. A five-time All-AFL/AFC selection and five-time Pro Bowler, Thomas also earned All-NFL honors in multiple years during the early 1970s. His consistent excellence and ball-hawking abilities earned him a well-deserved enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. His journey from an overlooked prospect to a Hall of Famer exemplifies perseverance and talent.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats: Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008)
Super Bowl Champion (IV)
AFL Champion (1966)

5-time Pro Bowl selection (1968, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975)

5-time All-AFL/AFC selection (1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975)
All-NFL First Team (1974)
All-NFL Second Team (1969, 1971, 1975)
AFL Interceptions Leader (1969)
NFL Interceptions Leader (1974)
Kansas City Chiefs Career Interception Leader (58)
NFL Career Stats: 181 games played, 58 interceptions, 937 interception return yards, 5 interception touchdowns.