by Travis Kelce: Learning from the Legends
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Show More” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
Travis Kelce has established himself as one of the most dominant tight ends in the NFL. Since entering the league in 2013, Kelce has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020. At 33 years old, he continues to produce at an elite level for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Kelce did not achieve this level of success on his own. Throughout his career, he has studied and learned from some of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game. Here is a look at five legendary tight ends who helped shape Kelce into the player he is today.
Tony Gonzalez: Kelce’s Mentor
When Kelce entered the league with the Chiefs in 2013, Tony Gonzalez was in his final NFL season after an illustrious 17-year career. Gonzalez wasted no time taking Kelce under his wing. As the Chiefs’ veteran tight end, Gonzalez mentored Kelce and helped him transition to the pro game.
“Tony was huge for me,” Kelce said. “Having a future Hall of Famer right there to learn from every single day was invaluable.”
Gonzalez set the standard for what a tight end could be in the NFL. He was a 14-time Pro Bowler, six-time first-team All-Pro, and widely considered the greatest to ever play the position. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Gonzalez combined exceptional pass-catching skills with the athleticism of a wide receiver. He finished his career with 1,325 receptions for 15,127 yards and 111 touchdowns.
Kelce paid close attention to how Gonzalez prepared and conducted himself on and off the field. He studied Gonzalez’s precise route-running, soft hands, and ability to find gaps in zone coverage. As a leader, Gonzalez showed Kelce what it took to be a team captain and role model in the locker room.
“Tony taught me what it really means to be a professional,” Kelce said. “How to watch film, take care of my body, and hold myself accountable every day. I owe so much to him for helping me develop as a player early on.”
Antonio Gates: Inspiring Kelce’s Physicality
While Gonzalez showed Kelce the finesse side of playing tight end, Antonio Gates demonstrated its physicality. From 2003-2018 with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Gates was one of the most dominant tight ends in the league due to his combination of size and athleticism.
Standing 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Gates used his frame to overwhelm defenders at the line of scrimmage. He was nearly impossible for linebackers to cover one-on-one and created nightmares for safeties in the red zone. Gates set the NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end with 116.
“Gates was so physical and tough for his size,” Kelce said. “Watching him block was awesome because he really punished guys. As a pass catcher, he knew how to use his body to create separation and come down with balls in traffic.”
Kelce admired Gates’ willingness to mix it up in the trenches as a blocker. He also studied how Gates positioned himself against smaller defensive backs to gain leverage and boxing out ability in the end zone. This inspired Kelce to focus on improving his strength, using his hands effectively, and finishing plays through contact.
Jason Witten: The Ultimate Professional
While Gonzalez and Gates showcased tight end skills, Jason Witten demonstrated the intangibles and grind of the position over 16 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-2017. Witten was known as the ultimate professional due to his attention to detail, consistency, leadership, and ability to move the chains.
“Witten just flat-out got it done, week in and week out, for over a decade,” Kelce said. “That’s what I really admired – his toughness and reliability. No matter the situation, you knew Witten was going to battle for those extra yards.”
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Witten used his size to thrive over the middle. He finished his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (1,152) and yards (12,448) by a tight end prior to retirement. But it was Witten’s intangibles and preparation that stood out most to Kelce.
Witten treated every practice and game like it was his last. He was infamous for his obsessive film study and setting an example of hard work for young players. Kelce respected Witten’s no-nonsense leadership approach and attention to the little details that helped the Cowboys succeed. Witten’s consistency and durability also inspired Kelce to take better care of his body.
Vernon Davis: The Big Play Threat
While Gonzalez, Gates, and Witten succeeded through precision, Vernon Davis brought an explosive element to the tight end position as a physical freak athlete. From 2006-2015 with the San Francisco 49ers, Davis showed Kelce what was possible when a tight end also had top-end speed.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds coming out of college. This rare speed for his size allowed Davis to take short passes and turn them into long touchdowns. He finished his career with 583 catches for 7,562 yards and 63 touchdowns.
“Vernon was just different with the ball in his hands,” Kelce said. “Not many tight ends can move like that and run by defensive backs. I loved seeing him make plays down the field.”
Davis’ combination of size, speed, and leaping ability made him a nightmare matchup all over the field. He gave defenses different looks than the traditional tight end. Kelce admired Davis’ big-play flair and focused on improving his own speed and route running to stress defenses vertically.
Rob Gronkowski: The Complete Package
Of all the tight ends who came before him, Rob Gronkowski represented the full package that Kelce aspired to emulate. From 2010-2018 with the New England Patriots, Gronkowski dominated the NFL like no other, winning four Super Bowls and cementing his status as one of the greatest to ever play.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 268 pounds, “Gronk” combined the blocking prowess of Gonzalez and Gates with the athleticism of Davis. He ran like a wide receiver yet was nearly impossible for defenses to bring down after the catch. Gronkowski’s blend of size, speed, strength, and hands made him a unique weapon that offensive coordinators could deploy anywhere on the field.
“Gronk took the tight end position to a whole new level,” Kelce said. “Blocking, catching, yards after contact, red zone – you name it, he was the best. That’s the standard I try to play up to every week.”
Kelce zeroed in on Gronkowski’s blocking technique, physicality at the point of attack, and ability to dominate opposing safeties in the middle of the field. No tight end high-pointed and came down with contested catches quite like Gronk. Kelce incorporated Gronkowski’s finishing mentality that helped will New England to championships.
Reaching New Heights
By studying the techniques, work ethic, and intangibles of Gonzalez, Gates, Witten, Davis, and Gronkowski, Travis Kelce has elevated his game to rare air. He continues putting up historic numbers for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense well into his 30s. Kelce’s blend of athleticism, toughness, football IQ, and leadership embody the tight end position at its highest level.
“I’m grateful for all the tight ends who came before me and paved the way,” Kelce said. “Guys like Tony, Gates, Witten, Vernon, and Gronk pushed the position to new heights and gave me idols to learn from. I’m just trying to carry on their legacy the best I can.”
Through diligent film study and application of lessons from his mentors, Kelce has proven himself as one of the all-time greats at his position. His success serves as a testament to the tight end greats who inspired him to maximize his talents and lead Kansas City back to championship glory.
[/bg_collapse]
