Travis Kelce Receives Major Humanitarian Honor
One of the NFL's most popular players is being recognized as one of its most generous.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been named the team's club winner for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award this season. The Payton award is an incredibly prestigious honor, recognizing those who go above and beyond to create a positive environment - both on and off the field.
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt highlighted Kelce's philanthropy and dedication to the local community over his 13-year career in a statement on Thursday.
Once again, we are honored to announce @tkelce as our Walter Payton Man of the Year Club Winner ????
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 4, 2025
RT to vote for him in the #WPMOYChallenge presented by @nationwide! pic.twitter.com/4ha74dztc3
Kelce's Charity Work in Kansas City
"He is a leader in every sense of the word. Over the course of his career, Travis has rewritten the franchise record book and earned an unprecedented ten consecutive Pro Bowl selections," Hunt said.
"During that time, he has united our community and inspired our fans while making a tangible difference in the lives of others. His Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation and his work with Operation Breakthrough and the Ignition Lab have helped to shape a brighter future for the next generation throughout Chiefs Kingdom."
Kelce has been a consistent supporter of Operation Breakthrough, a nonprofit that provides programs and services for lower-income communities in Kansas City. The Ignition Lab gives students aged 14 to 18 the chance to work on skills relevant to STEM majors and programs.
Kelce has been named the team's Man of the Year in previous seasons, and he'll have the chance to earn the league-wide honor at the NFL Honors ceremony in February. Past winners of the league-wide award include Dak Prescott, Eli Manning and Drew Brees.
Kelce Reacts to Man of the Year Honor
"To be chosen as the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is such a great honor. I have so much love for Kansas City and the Chiefs organization, and to be selected once again means everything to me," Kelce said about the recognition.
"Being able to give back to Kansas City and to my hometown, places that have done so much for me, has been a dream come true, and I'll never take that for granted. Representing the team, the Hunt family, our fans, and my foundation is incredibly special and I'm very grateful."
On the field, the Chiefs continue to fight for the right to appear in this year's playoffs. They can make a major step toward accomplishing that goal with a win in their next game against the Houston Texans.
Fans can tune in to see Kelce and the rest of the Chiefs take on the Texans on Sunday night at 8:20 PM Eastern on NBC.