CLEVELAND — Jason and Travis Kelce were not highly recruited out of Cleveland Heights High School, but through hard work and a dedication to their crafts, they rose to be integral players at the University of Cincinnati and caught the attention of National Football League scouts.
And while they may not have been heavily recruited and were not first-round picks in the NFL Draft -- Jason was a sixth-rounder with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, while Travis was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 -- they have a title that can never be taken away: Super Bowl Champion.
Two years after Jason won with the Eagles, Travis caught a touchdown pass to help Kansas City’s comeback on the way to a 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida Sunday night.
“I’ll tell you what, You can’t tell my daddy nothing,” Travis Kelce said in a postgame interview on NFL Network. “You can’t tell my father nothing, man. I gave him the biggest hug, man, because me and my brother…my brother was a walk-on, I was a two-star.
“Our entire lives, man, it feels like for him that we never got enough recognition for who we are, and he’s got two kids that not only made it to the league, but won Super Bowls for him. I love ‘Big Ed’ Kelce to death. Momma, Donna Kelce, everybody back home, I love you guys.”
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Family is of utmost importance to the Kelces, so much so that Travis celebrated the AFC Championship Game victory two weeks ago with his brother. Following the Super Bowl, Travis Kelce celebrated on the field with his father, Ed.
With tears in his father’s eyes, Kelce embraced and kissed his dad, and then, the two enjoyed a brief conversation as the Chiefs’ jubilant celebration continued amid the confetti and streamers set off after Kansas City’s first Super Bowl win in 50 years.
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Kelce had to wait three-and-a-half quarters of Super Bowl LIV to find the end zone, but with the Chiefs in desperate need of points in the fourth period, he delivered in a major way.
One play after drawing a pass interference penalty that gave the Chiefs 20 free yards and set up the Kansas City offense at San Francisco’s one-yard line, Kelce hauled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
On first-and-goal from the San Francisco one-yard line, Kelce lined up on the right side of the formation, and after Mahomes took the snap under center and used a play-action fake, as well as a rollout, he found his All-Pro tight end open in the end zone.
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After Kelce broke free from San Francisco’s defense with an out route toward the sideline, he hauled in the pass, and then, celebrated with his teammates before the extra point try.
Amid the celebration with his teammates, coaches and family, Kelce was sure to acknowledge his extended family in Cleveland Heights and promises to keep the good times rolling for former Tigers players.
“Shout out to the Heights, baby,” Kelce said. “It’s been a long time coming, baby. It’s been a long time coming, man. We’re just so happy for each other and our success. I promise you, this isn’t the end of it, man. We’re going to keep carrying the torch for everybody back home.”