Live from Super Bowl LVII: UC Support Helps Travis Kelce Find Success - University of Cincinnati Athletics (2024)

Kansas City Chiefs star talked about giving back to Cincinnati from Phoenix, Ariz.

February 08, 2023

Zach Stipe Associate AD / Communications

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Travis Kelce couldn't contain his excitement.

The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end was asked about his alma mater and grinned from ear-to-ear.

"Go Bearcats! Anybody that has a problem with it, fight me," said Kelce, jokingly.

He had taken some social media grief after his Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game and his colorful postgame interview ended playful trash talk with Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval.

On Super Bowl LVII Opening Night, he set the record straight.

"It's all about Cincinnati, baby," he said. "I've always been extremely prideful of coming from the University of Cincinnati. I finally got my diploma. I try to help out as much as I can. I go back to the university when I can. I just miss being around all those players that I played with, and all the people I met along the way there that have always been in my corner throughout the ups and downs of life."

"Shout out to the Bearcats. You guys are well-represented this Sunday."

👊 🐐 @tkelce pic.twitter.com/4i21kDObC2
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) February 7, 2023

Indeed, the University of Cincinnati will be part of one of the major storylines in Super Bowl LVII.

Some have called it the "Kelce Bowl," as Travis and his older brother, Jason, the Philadelphia Eagles' center, will be the first siblings to face-off in the Super Bowl on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Travis played for UC from 2008 to 2012, while Jason played from 2006 to 2010.

TRAVIS KELCE OVERCOMES ADVERSITY TO BECOME A STAR AT UC

Travis Kelce faced adversity during his time at Cincinnati, sitting out the 2010 season due to a violation of team rules. The future NFL star was essentially kicked off the Bearcats football team and had to work his way back to just get on the squad, but earn back his scholarship – which he did prior to his breakout senior season in 2012.

Despite his early struggles, the University of Cincinnati never gave up on the younger Kelce. He specifically cites Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Bob Mangine and current Special Teams Coordinator and Secondary Coach Kerry Coombs as mentors who helped him on his journey at UC.

"The players, the coaches, the staff that was at the university at the time – really believed in me to be able to turn things around and do better for myself," Kelce said. "That was huge for me at the time."

"I was fortunate that the football team was able to give me the opportunity to work back into to trying to get a scholarship that I was able to get by the time my senior year came around. It helped me mature a lot. It let me know I could have a lot of happiness if I do some things like go to class and try my best to be a professional at the college level."

After redshirting in 2008, playing some wildcat quarterback in 2009, and sitting out the 2010 season, Kelce had 13 catches as a reserve tight end in 2011. In 2012, he emerged as one of the country's top tight ends, tallying 45 receptions for 722 yards and eight scores. The Chiefs picked him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

His final catch for the Bearcats was an 83-yard game-winning touchdown with 55 seconds left in the 2012 Belk Bowl.

TRAVIS KELCE STARTS HEALTH AND WELLNESS ENDOWMENT FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

After overcoming his own obstacles at UC, Kelce wants to give back to help current and future student-athletes with their off-the-field struggles. That is why he launched the 87 & Running Endowment for Student-Athlete Health and Wellness on Nov. 9, 2022.

The endowment will impact all 450 UC student-athletes by funding Cincinnati Athletics Sports Psychology and Counseling Department for all sports, expanding Director of Sports Psychology Lenecia Nickell's staff and personnel, while ensuring all Bearcats have permanent access to the care and services they need to be mentally strong, confident and resilient.

"The University came to me about mental health," Kelce said while preparing for the Super Bowl in Phoenix. "I wanted to really support the university because of a lot of the things that were happening. The endowment is something that the university really wanted to give to the students, knowing that a lot of the students were having trouble dealing with the things that were going on, off the field. As much as we like to support people on the field, this off the field game is every bit as difficult as it is on the field. I respect the University of Cincinnati for trying to get this for the students. I love them for it. I appreciate them for coming to me to help this initiative get going."

"This off-the-field game is every bit as difficult."
See Also
Travis Kelce Launches Health and Wellness Endowment for UC Student-Athletes - University of Cincinnati Athletics
In November, @tkelce and his @87Running Foundation launched the Endowment for University of Cincinnati Student-Athlete Health and Wellness.
Join Travis and the #Bearcats in this initiative at https://t.co/Nhpf5S4ezr. pic.twitter.com/I2UECAzXXG
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) February 7, 2023

TRAVIS KELCE HAPPY TO EARN DEGREE, LOOKS FORWARD TO WALKING THE STAGE, GIVING BACK

Kelce also recently obtained his college degreefromCincinnati, finishing up his hours last year. He looks forward to walking the stage and receivinghis diploma soon.

"I went back and got my degree this past summer," he said. "I still have to walk the stage eventually. That was one of my goals I had my list, but I will get back to Cincinnati and get that taken care of."

With the Super Bowl just days away, Kelce was thrilled to reflect on his time at the University of Cincinnati and excited to continue to give back.

"I'm fortunate that I was given the opportunity to go to the University of Cincinnati," Kelce said. "To be able to represent them in the right way is always one of my biggest goals because of how big of a point in my life it was growing up at the university."

RESERVE YOUR 2023 SEASON TICKETS NOW

Current season ticket holders have until March 31 torenew their ticketsfor 2023.
The Bearcats Ticket Office is also accepting deposits for new football season ticketshere. There are a limited number of deposits available.
A limited number of single-game tickets will go on sale this summer.

-GoBEARCATS.com-

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