Chiefs' Travis Kelce Receives Prestigious Award
Chiefs' Travis Kelce Receives Prestigious Award originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best tight ends of all time in Travis Kelce, but he did not meet his high expectations for himself this past season.
Advertisement
But his impact is still being felt in other places, and in other ways.
On Sunday evening, the State of Ohio and the city of Cleveland announced that Kelce was awarded "The Outstanding Leadership Award" by the Won't Quit Foundation for all of the things he has done in the community in that area.
"This award honors individuals who exemplify extraordinary commitment, compassion, and service," State Representative Darnell T. Brewer wrote in his statement. "It recognizes those who go above and beyond to uplift their community, inspire their peers, and make a lasting impact on the world around them. Through consistent action, integrity, and selflessness, they embody the true spirit of leadership and the mission of the Won't Quit Foundation."
Travis and his brother Jason are from Westlake, which is not too far from the much bigger city of Cleveland. To give back to their community, the two have done all they can to help out their hometown and the surrounding area.
The superstar tight end finished the 2024 season with 823 yards and three touchdowns, which are the both the lowest mark he has hit since becoming the starter for the Chiefs.
Advertisement
Kelce is soon to be 36 years old, which means that the 2025 season may very well be his last in the NFL. As a result, he will be looking to make it count and leave his impact on the game.
Related: Smart-Enough Travis Kelce Takes Good-Natured Needle From Chiefs Coach
Related: Taylor Swift Credited With Huge NFL Stat Surge
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
37 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
After disappointing rookie season, Colts DE Laiatu Latu wants a sack a game in 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — Laiatu Latu wanted to make more of an impact as a rookie. Latu, the defensive end the Colts drafted with the No. 15 pick, was the first defensive player off the board in the 2024 draft, a player expected to transform the Indianapolis defense. When he struggled, when he beat the tackle across from him and failed to get the quarterback, it ate at Latu for days. 'It's definitely who I am, especially in the moment, on the field, you can definitely get frustrated,' Latu said. '(DeForest Buckner) always reminds me: 'Next play.'' Latu finished his rookie year with four sacks and 36 pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions, numbers that ranked him third on the Colts in both categories. Colts news: Colts CB JuJu Brents has suffered seven different injuries, his time is running out He wants much more in his second NFL season. Latu, who racked up 23.5 sacks in 25 games at UCLA, has set a lofty goal. He wants a sack a game, a pace that would give him 17 overall and almost certainly earn him a Pro Bowl berth. Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen set the bar a little lower, saying this spring the team wants Latu to get to double-digit sacks. The expectations are still there. But everything else around Latu has changed. Indianapolis replaced former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with Lou Anarumo, who has a lengthy history of moving his best pass rushers all over the formation, a practice that should take advantage of Latu's versatility. 'You see the God-given athletic ability as soon as you watch him,' Anarumo said. 'Anybody can see that. Now, it's just going to be the recognition of how he's about to get blocked, both in the run game and the pass game.' Anarumo's creativity will help. The rest is up to Latu, who has spent the offseason trying to improve his power. Latu's slender frame is an asset, making it easier for him to bend the corner and dip around blocks, but he has an arsenal that is varied enough that he must be stronger to be more effective at the NFL level. 'Building my strength in my upper body,' Latu said. 'That's what I focused on.' Latu's other focus is finishing rushes. There were a handful of plays last season that featured Latu beating an offensive tackle, only to miss the quarterback at the point of attack or get there a split-second late, after the ball was already on its way to a receiver. The little things will help. Young pass rushers often struggle to live up to their reputations at first in the NFL. Offensive linemen are much better, and the shift in strategy from college to the pros is a little bit like going from checkers to chess. Latu's always been a natural rusher, the sort of player with the right instincts for the job. He needs to recalibrate his instincts to the NFL level. 'My IQ on the field,' Latu said when asked what he wants to improve on next season. 'Being able to read certain keys within the offense to get off the ball better.' Latu, like a lot of second-year players, feels like it's easier to focus on the learning this season. There are no rookie symposiums. No snacks to bring for the rest of the defensive line group. None of the extra stuff that comes with being a first-year player in the NFL. 'I feel like I know what's coming,' Latu said. 'I don't have any stressors.' The Colts are counting heavily on Latu to take the next step this season. Anarumo had Trey Hendrickson, one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, in Cincinnati, and Latu seems to be the player best suited to that role. The rest of the Colts defensive ends—Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis and second-rounder J.T. Tuimoloau—are a different mold of rusher, players who can stonewall blockers in the run game and typically win with power against the pass. Latu's rookie numbers were underwhelming. The Colts have reason to believe they will rise in his second season. 'He was close many times,' Anarumo said. 'This year, we feel like he'll seal the deal.'
Indianapolis Star
37 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
After disappointing rookie season, Colts DE Laiatu Latu wants a sack a game in 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — Laiatu Latu wanted to make more of an impact as a rookie. Latu, the defensive end the Colts drafted with the No. 15 pick, was the first defensive player off the board in the 2024 draft, a player expected to transform the Indianapolis defense. When he struggled, when he beat the tackle across from him and failed to get the quarterback, it ate at Latu for days. 'It's definitely who I am, especially in the moment, on the field, you can definitely get frustrated,' Latu said. '(DeForest Buckner) always reminds me: 'Next play.'' Latu finished his rookie year with four sacks and 36 pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions, numbers that ranked him third on the Colts in both categories. Colts news: Colts CB JuJu Brents has suffered seven different injuries, his time is running out He wants much more in his second NFL season. Latu, who racked up 23.5 sacks in 25 games at UCLA, has set a lofty goal. He wants a sack a game, a pace that would give him 17 overall and almost certainly earn him a Pro Bowl berth. Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen set the bar a little lower, saying this spring the team wants Latu to get to double-digit sacks. The expectations are still there. But everything else around Latu has changed. Indianapolis replaced former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with Lou Anarumo, who has a lengthy history of moving his best pass rushers all over the formation, a practice that should take advantage of Latu's versatility. 'You see the God-given athletic ability as soon as you watch him,' Anarumo said. 'Anybody can see that. Now, it's just going to be the recognition of how he's about to get blocked, both in the run game and the pass game.' Anarumo's creativity will help. The rest is up to Latu, who has spent the offseason trying to improve his power. Latu's slender frame is an asset, making it easier for him to bend the corner and dip around blocks, but he has an arsenal that is varied enough that he must be stronger to be more effective at the NFL level. 'Building my strength in my upper body,' Latu said. 'That's what I focused on.' Latu's other focus is finishing rushes. There were a handful of plays last season that featured Latu beating an offensive tackle, only to miss the quarterback at the point of attack or get there a split-second late, after the ball was already on its way to a receiver. The little things will help. Young pass rushers often struggle to live up to their reputations at first in the NFL. Offensive linemen are much better, and the shift in strategy from college to the pros is a little bit like going from checkers to chess. Latu's always been a natural rusher, the sort of player with the right instincts for the job. He needs to recalibrate his instincts to the NFL level. 'My IQ on the field,' Latu said when asked what he wants to improve on next season. 'Being able to read certain keys within the offense to get off the ball better.' Latu, like a lot of second-year players, feels like it's easier to focus on the learning this season. There are no rookie symposiums. No snacks to bring for the rest of the defensive line group. None of the extra stuff that comes with being a first-year player in the NFL. 'I feel like I know what's coming,' Latu said. 'I don't have any stressors.' The Colts are counting heavily on Latu to take the next step this season. Anarumo had Trey Hendrickson, one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, in Cincinnati, and Latu seems to be the player best suited to that role. The rest of the Colts defensive ends—Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis and second-rounder J.T. Tuimoloau—are a different mold of rusher, players who can stonewall blockers in the run game and typically win with power against the pass. Latu's rookie numbers were underwhelming. The Colts have reason to believe they will rise in his second season. 'He was close many times,' Anarumo said. 'This year, we feel like he'll seal the deal.'
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jaire Alexander's dad reveals the rift behind the Packers exit
Had the Green Bay Packers offered a contract comparable to what Jaire Alexander received from the Baltimore Ravens, the two-time Pro Bowler/Second-Team All-Pro is still rolling with the Cheeseheads. That's what Landis Alexander, Jaire's father, said during a recent appearance on KBN ESPN Milwaukee's Kyle, Brust, & Nortman show. It still seems surreal (or unreal). After seven seasons and some back and forth, Jaire was released by the only NFL team he had ever played for up until that point on June 9. He put pen to paper and agreed to a one-year deal in Baltimore that would pay him up to $6 million with incentives. That arrangement came nine days later. Advertisement The deal is done. Both sides have parted ways. Still, whenever a name as big as the one belonging to Jaire is tied to stories where contract negotiations seemingly spiral, questions are sometimes answered, and those were exactly the questions asked of Jaire's father during a 13-minute chat that has since seen a ton of discussion. Jaire Alexander's father offers some behind-the-scenes access to his son's exit from Green Bay and his arrival in Baltimore. What went wrong? Is it possible cooler heads could have prevailed? What exactly happened? Landis Alexander was gracious in answering all of the questions. In terms of the train veering off its tracks, it sounds like the culprit is what some might expect. Advertisement Jaire's team understood his injury history would impair negotiations, but they still hoped he'd be offered guaranteed money. Green Bay wasn't willing to offer any, and the rest, as they say, is history. Landis believes, based on the contract's structure, that a 'sign and trade' was what The Pack was attempting. He believes his son's teammates wanted to see him back in the fold. He also believes Green Bay believed they had given Jaire so much and that they were disappointed because he wasn't playing very often. "I get that part, but I don't like that narrative that was put out there (saying) we didn't want to take a pay cut. That's just ridiculous because, in business, you have to be available, not half the season. (The signing team wants) you out there. Injuries happen, and he's not able to do that. We get the fact that you don't want to pay ($17 million in guarantees), but we definitely don't want zero." Here's how we make long stories shorter. Often, these conversations come down to money. It was no different in this instance, but there is another twist here. Jaire may have been given some misinformation about his injury. The Ravens visit the Packers in Week 17. Naturally, the guys asked Landis if Jaire has that game circled on his calendar. The response was classy: "No... We love those guys. We love that team. We love that city"... Fair enough... But, something tells us Jaire absolutely has that game vs. his former team circled. How could he not, right? This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Jaire Alexander's father reveals what really happened in Green Bay
