Three-time Super Bowl winner Travis has long been mocked by his brother Jason for missing a flight to his graduation but the retired Eagles star also never received his diploma – until Thursday night.
At the end of their live podcast, the brothers were brought onstage to receive their honors and Travis celebrated in typically flamboyant style.
It initially appeared to be a surprise for both brothers, with the university’s director of athletics, John Cunningham, taking to the stage with the President, Neville Pinto, to present them with the awards.
They both genuinely appeared humbled, but it didn’t take the younger Kelce brother to return to form. The Chiefs hero downed a beer, slammed the empty can to the ground and yelled into a microphone at the end of his speech: ‘You’ve got to fight for your right to party!’
Receiving a diploma…Travis Kelce style
@newheightshow pic.twitter.com/t2y9xOXV4Z— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard)April 12, 2024
The Kelces even had their parents, Donna and Ed, on the stage with them for the moment.
The Cincinnati Bearcats X account tweeted: ‘A surprise commencement we’ll never forget. Congratulations to Travis and Jason on (finally) picking up those diplomas!’
Travis attended the University of Cincinnati from 2008 until 2012 and was drafted by the Chiefs in 2013.
He only finished his remaining credit hours in 2022 to complete his degree – a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Arts and Sciences – but then missed the flight to the graduation.
Jason’s academic major is listed as marketing on the University of Cincinnati website.
‘Cincinnati! We love you guys,’ Travis said at the end of the ceremony. ‘Don’t forget to get your degrees on the way out.’
As for the show itself, the Kelce brothers had Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his teammate Orlando Brown Jr join them to talk about the NFL.
They also reflected on their time at the University, with their parents and Jason’s wife Kylie watching on in the crowd.
There was no appearance from Travis’ girlfriend Taylor, despite the singer being between tour dates at present.