The Importance of Hard Work and Dedication
Travis Kelce has established himself as one of the most dominant tight ends in the NFL. As a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce has cemented his status as one of the all-time greats at his position. However, none of Kelce’s accomplishments would have been possible without the relentless work ethic instilled in him from a young age by his father, Ed Kelce.
Ed Kelce was a man who valued hard work above all else. He worked tirelessly as a firefighter for over 30 years, rising through the ranks to become a captain. Even in his off hours, Ed was rarely idle—he could often be found working on home improvement projects or tinkering with machines in the garage. Ed’s work ethic rubbed off tremendously on his son Travis, who learned at an early age the importance of putting in maximum effort.
“My dad was just a grinder,” Travis recalled. “He worked his tail off as a firefighter for over three decades. Even when he wasn’t on the clock, he was always finding ways to stay busy and productive. That relentless work ethic is something that has always stuck with me.”
Ed made sure to reinforce the value of hard work to his son. He encouraged Travis to push himself to his physical limits in football practice and to never settle for being average. Ed would often join Travis for offseason workouts, motivating him to go the extra mile and set the bar higher each time. According to Travis, those early lessons from his father on the importance of dedication and perseverance were formative in shaping his mindset and drive to succeed.
“My dad always said that success doesn’t come easy—you have to be willing to outwork everyone else,” Travis said. “He showed me through his own example what it means to leave it all on the field. I try to embody that same relentless work ethic in everything I do, from football to my charity work in the offseason. It’s something my dad instilled in me from a young age.”
While Ed valued hard work, he also understood the importance of persevering through adversity. Early in his career, Ed suffered a serious injury while on duty as a firefighter that ultimately ended his dreams of playing college football. However, he refused to let this setback define him. Through determination and grit, Ed worked his way back from the injury and still managed to have a long, successful career in fire service.
Ed made sure to pass this lesson of perseverance onto Travis. He taught his son that success requires overcoming obstacles and temporary failures along the way. Travis faced his own challenges, from being overlooked coming out of college to early struggles adapting to the NFL. But he drew motivation from his father’s example of persevering through adversity, using it to fuel his own drive to succeed at the highest level.
“My dad dealt with some really tough injuries early on but he never gave up on his goals,” Travis said. “He taught me that setbacks are inevitable, but it’s how you respond that really matters. He showed me the importance of never losing sight of what you want to achieve, even when the odds seem stacked against you. That lesson of perseverance has stayed with me through all the ups and downs of my football career.”
Another key value Ed Kelce emphasized was humility. Despite all of his accomplishments in fire service, Ed never sought praise or recognition. He taught Travis to stay grounded regardless of any success and to appreciate all the support systems that helped make his achievements possible. Travis has carried this lesson of humility with him throughout his NFL career.
“My dad always said that no man is an island—we all rely on others to get where we are,” Travis explained. “He taught me the importance of staying humble no matter what I accomplish on the field. I owe so much to my family, coaches, and teammates for supporting me. I try to carry myself with humility and gratitude, just like my dad taught me.”
Family was always the top priority for Ed Kelce. Despite his busy work schedule as a firefighter, he made sure to carve out ample time for his wife and kids. Ed instilled in Travis the importance of strong family bonds from an early age. According to Travis, his father’s emphasis on family has been one of the most impactful lessons he’s learned.
“My dad always said that at the end of the day, family is all that really matters,” Travis said. “He made us a tight-knit unit and was always there for me and my siblings, no matter what. I try to stay as close as I can to my parents, brothers, and extended family because of the foundation my dad built. Family will always come before anything else for me.”
Along with his strong work ethic and family values, Ed Kelce also believed unwaveringly in his son’s abilities. From a young age, Ed encouraged Travis to pursue his dreams of playing football at the highest level. He supported Travis unconditionally through his ups and downs, instilling in him a well of confidence and self-belief that has sustained him throughout his career.
“My dad was my biggest supporter from day one,” Travis recalled. “Even when I struggled or doubted myself, he was always in my corner telling me how great I could be. I still draw a lot of my motivation and confidence from the belief my dad had in me. It’s something I’ll never be able to repay him for.”
While athletics were important, Ed also emphasized the value of education to his son. He encouraged Travis to focus on his studies as much as football in high school and pushed him to earn his college degree. Travis took his father’s advice, graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in criminal justice before embarking on his NFL career.
“My dad always said that no one can take your education away from you,” Travis said. “He taught me that football was never a guarantee, so I needed to set myself up for success in other areas too. I’m grateful that I listened to his advice on getting my college degree—it’s something that will benefit me for the rest of my life regardless of what happens on the field.”
Ed also instilled a strong sense of civic responsibility in his son. He taught Travis the importance of giving back to the community through his work as a firefighter. Inspired by his father’s example, Travis established the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, which supports underserved youth through initiatives focused on sports, education, and overall wellness.
“My dad was always involved in helping people through his job,” Travis said. “He showed me the importance of using whatever platform I have to give back. That’s why I started my foundation—to honor my dad’s legacy and help kids the way he always wanted to help others.”
Above all, Ed Kelce lived by a strict moral code of integrity, honesty and responsibility. He made sure to pass these values onto his son from a young age. Travis strives to embody the same strong character both on and off the field, knowing the example his father set.
“My dad was the most honest, hardworking man I’ve ever known,” Travis said. “He showed me what it means to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. I try every day to carry myself with the same integrity because those are the values he instilled in our family.”
Alongside his strong work ethic, Ed also emphasized showing gratitude for life’s blessings. He taught Travis never to take opportunities for granted and to appreciate both the big and small things. Travis remains deeply grateful for all he’s achieved not only in his NFL career but in life thanks to the foundation his father provided.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my dad and everything he taught me growing up,” Travis said. “He showed me the importance of being grateful for the people in my life as well as any success I experience. I try every day to express my thanks not just to my dad but to my whole support system for believing in me.”
Finally, Ed wanted his son to leave a lasting legacy beyond just football accomplishments. He encouraged Travis to make a positive impact through his character and contributions to society. Travis hopes to honor his father’s memory and values well after his playing career comes to an end.
“My dad wanted me to do more than just play football—he wanted me to build a meaningful legacy,” Travis said. “I try every day to carry myself in a way that would make him proud, both on and off the field. But more than anything, I want people to remember me for the person I was and how I tried to help others. That’s the most important part of any legacy to me because it’s what my dad taught.”
Through his example and guidance, Ed Kelce bestowed invaluable life lessons upon his son Travis that have undoubtedly contributed to his success. From hard work and perseverance to humility, gratitude, and integrity, Travis has strived to embody the strong character and values his father instilled. While his playing career winds down, Travis’ greatest hope is that he has honored his father’s memory and left a positive impact through his actions and contributions. The foundation laid by Ed Kelce is one that will continue influencing generations to come.