The 35-year-old tight end is officially a nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which recognizes players who “demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.”
Kelce is one of 32 nominees for the award, the winner of which will be announced on Feb. 6 during the NFL Honors ceremony.
The Chiefs celebrated Kelce’s nomination with a special video shared on social media, showing him sweetly talking about his work in the Kansas City community through his foundation, 87 & Running — and as a child, running football drills.
The tight end said he loved growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, calling it “such a melting pot of social class and race and religion.”
“And I was able to relate to all those kids growing up,” Kelce continued. “I don’t care what you look like, where you come from; I’m gonna be friendly and lend a helping hand.”
Kelce said he started his foundation because he “really wanted to make sure that the city felt as much love from me as I do on Sundays,” and he feels like he’s accomplished that through his community work.
Specifically, Kelce pointed to Operation Breakthrough, which aids the Kansas City youth living in poverty.
The Chiefs star said the effort is “a beautiful thing to be a part of” and it’s “made me a better person and made me a better man,” in the touching video.
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt issued a statement following Kelce’s nomination, calling him “one of the most dynamic individuals in all of football, both on and off the field.” Hunt said the NFL star is a “tremendous leader, a role model for young people in Kansas City and an inspiration to football fans around the world.”
“Through his new Ignition Lab, the growing Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation and his partnership with Operation Breakthrough, Travis has impacted the lives of thousands of young people in the Kansas City region and beyond,” Hunt added. “The Chiefs organization and the Kansas City community are proud to have Travis as the club’s nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.”
