"It wasn't easy for me": When Travis Kelce had emotional breakdown at alma mater Cleveland Heights high school's HoF induction
Travis Kelce has become one of the NFL's biggest stars. He has been a key part of the Kansas City Chiefs team that has been dominant in the last 10 years, and has won three Super Bowls with the team.
However, Kelce's career has not always been this successful. He was ranked two-stars coming out of high school, and his time with the Cincinnati Bearcats was only average. Kelce once spoke about this period of his life when he gave a speech to his high school, after being inducted into their hall of fame.
"It wasn't easy for me. It was tough. I got my scholarship taken from me. I did a lot of dumb things, but to all my friends, I was that guy, and I I got my scholarship revoked, and I was at my lowest point I've ever been in my life. I didn't know if I'll go to school still because it was my scholarship. I didn't know if I was gonna be gonna keep playing sports because I thought my only really thing that I could strive for and achieve was athletics."
Kelce was suspended from the Bearcats in 2010 due to a failed marijuana test. As a result, the tight end had only one reception in three years. He once spoke to the Kansas City Star about the issue:
“I got kicked off the team for having a little too much fun off the field."
How did Travis Kelce become the great we know today?
However, he was reinstated, mostly thanks to his older brother, Jason Kelce, who pleaded with the coach to bring him back.
After this, Travis turned around his attitude and performance on the field. During the last two seasons he spent with the Bearcats, Kelce gained 872 receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
These performances meant that when he declared for the NFL draft, he was the 63rd pick of the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
He continued to develop with Kansas City and would eventually become known as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game.