When Travis Kelce signed his four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, he made a conscious decision to prioritize giving back over material purchases.

Instead of splurging on luxury items, Kelce chose to invest in something that would have a lasting impact on the community. His first major purchase was a building for his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, which will provide inner-city Kansas City teens with a safe space to explore and study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Kelce’s decision was driven by his personal experiences growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. In his diverse community, Kelce noticed that many of his peers didn’t have the same opportunities he did. This awareness motivated him to create the foundation once he made it to the NFL, determined to help disadvantaged kids break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.

The new building will serve as a hub for academic and personal growth, aiming to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields. Through this project, Kelce hopes to provide opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have access to resources that foster their talents and dreams. His commitment to the foundation shows that Kelce is not just a leader on the field, but also off it, using his platform to empower the next generation.