When professional football first emerged as a popular sport in the United States, most players had to work another job to make ends meet. Even as recently as the 1970s, players like former four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw had to sell used cars to pay his bills in between practices and games.
Now, the lowest-paid NFL player makes enough to support a family, and often more than the average American. But it is not just about coaches and players; the NFL has become a booming industry. From the media to trainers, dieticians, massage specialists, sports medicine, and everything else imaginable, it takes a village to help a player make it to the pros.
And who better to seek advice from if you want to become a pro than a pro? That’s the thinking behind Tight End University.
TEU 2025: NFL Tight Ends Converge for Training, Brotherhood, and Charity
Tight End University (TEU) was founded in 2021 by current tight end legends George Kittle and Travis Kelce, along with former Pro Bowler Greg Olsen, who retired from professional football in January 2021 and now serves as a Fox Sports broadcaster.
According to their website, they aimed to teach every tight end in the league. If you’re on an NFL roster, you’ll receive an invitation.
“Tight End University was created to bring the Tight End community together for an immersive three-day program. Throughout the summit, attendees can bond, collaborate with, and learn amongst their peers while participating in a variety of activities including film study, on-field drills, recovery, rehabilitation, and more.”
TEU features retired legends in addition to Kittle, Kelce, and Olsen, who “provide attendees with the invaluable opportunity to learn from some of the best to ever play the game.”
Now, TEU is getting ready to kick off its fifth season June 23-26 with approximately 72 players converging on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Past events have seen attendance numbers vary, with the inaugural year featuring more than 40 participants and recent years drawing upwards of 80 attendees.
In the Tight End University’s Instagram announcement, they featured photos of all this year’s participants, all of whom were photoshopped in tuxedos and arranged in a fraternity-style photo.
Tight End University — founded by George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Greg Olsen — is back for its fifth year this week.
Here’s the full list of tight ends attending the event: pic.twitter.com/cF76wDLyRr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 23, 2025
TEU prides itself not only on preparing the next generation of players but also on helping them become well-rounded citizens. “Beyond supporting our athletes, TEU is also driven to give back to the community through a variety of charitable initiatives.”
They thank their numerous sponsors, such as Gatorade Water, New Era, Bud Light, Dude Wipes, and Old Spice. When the three-day event concludes, they donate all proceeds to charities selected by Kelce, Kittle, and Olsen.
Kittle and Kelce are among the highest-paid tight ends in the league, and they hope not only to help players improve but also protect the position from becoming undervalued. They recognize that the position is a unique one. Tight ends have to be able not only to catch passes but also to block effectively and occasionally run the football.
The curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics, including run blocking techniques, pass protection, route running, and reading defensive coverages. Former Indianapolis Colts great Dallas Clark and other NFL legends regularly contribute as guest instructors, sharing their expertise with the next generation of players.
Honestly, who better to learn from than players who are revolutionizing the position and helping elevate tight ends to new levels of recognition and compensation across the NFL?