New Orleans, LA—Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce made his mark in NFL history during the team’s remarkable playoff run to a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
Kelce set a new NFL record for most postseason receptions, with 174. He is also inching closer to breaking Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s records for the most career playoff touchdown receptions (22) and receiving yards (2,245). Currently, Kelce has 20 touchdowns and 2,039 yards in 24 postseason games.
Beyond his on-field performance, the Chiefs also acknowledged the 35-year-old All-Pro’s significant philanthropic work by nominating him for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in December. A month later, Kelce triumphed in the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Nationwide Charity Challenge fan vote, securing a $35,000 donation for his charity, 87 & Running.
However, despite his accomplishments, Kelce was not selected as the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 6. Instead, the award went to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead, a five-time nominee.
Armstead expressed his gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the value of service and education through his Armstead Academic Project. “Receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is an incredible honor—one that goes beyond football,” said Armstead. “This award represents the power of service, the responsibility to uplift others, and the impact we can create through education.”
While Armstead’s dedication to community service is certainly deserving of recognition, many fans were disappointed by Kelce’s loss. Some expressed their surprise on social media, with one writing, “I really thought Travis Kelce had this in the bag.”
Another commented, “Guess the Swifties couldn’t boost Travis enough,” referring to the support Kelce received from fans of his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, who rallied behind him in the charity challenge.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also expressed his strong support for Kelce, acknowledging the tight end’s extraordinary contributions to the Kansas City community. “I’ve seen it firsthand, it’s really special. He truly deserves it,” Mahomes said earlier in the day.
While Armstead’s achievement was well-deserved, Kelce’s continued charitable efforts have made a significant impact off the field, and his work through 87 & Running remains an important part of his legacy.
