Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs standout tight end, recently reflected on his college suspension due to a failed marijuana drug test. On an episode of the New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, the 35-year-old NFL star discussed how the incident during his sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati may have hurt his 2013 NFL Draft stock, with teams possibly overlooking his talent.
Travis Kelce Started As a Quarterback
At Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio, Kelce was a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for over 1,500 yards and rushing for over 1,000 as a senior. He joined the University of Cincinnati in 2008 and redshirted his first year. In 2009, he played in 11 games, mainly in the Wildcat formation, with eight carries for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
However, in 2010, Kelce faced a significant setback. He was suspended for the entire season after failing a drug test for marijuana during the team’s trip to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The incident almost derailed his football career.
“I made a mistake,” Kelce said. “I learned from it and grew from it. It’s part of who I am and part of my story.”
Kelce’s older brother, Jason, also on the Cincinnati football team, played a pivotal role in his return. Jason advocated for Travis and convinced the coaching staff to give him another chance. Upon reinstatement in 2011, the coaching staff suggested Kelce transition to tight end, seeing his athleticism, size, and athleticism fit the position.
Diving into his new role, Kelce thrived. In 2012, he had 45 catches for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Big East honors and was named the College Football Performance Awards Tight End of the Year.
Pre-Draft Evaluations and NFL Draft
Despite his impressive senior year, Kelce’s draft stock was influenced by his suspension and limited reps at tight end despite his production. Scouting reports at the time highlighted his combination of size, athleticism, and aggressive style of play. But he only had two seasons at the position, so he would need polish and refinement.
The Kansas City Chiefs took Kelce 63rd overall in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was seen as a value pick but blossomed into a potential Hall of Famer. He has 1,004 receptions, 12,151 receiving yards, 80 receiving touchdowns, and 12.1 YPC in 175 career games.
Kelce has three Super Bowl rings (LIV, LVII, LVIII), 10 Pro Bowl selections, has been named All-Pro four times, second team All-Pro three times, and selected to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
