Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs will have an extra week of rest to begin the playoffs after securing the AFC’s No. 1.
As they wait to find out who their first NFL playoff opponent will be, Kelce was on the receiving end of some good news.
On Wednesday, the NFL revealed that the tight end has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year “Charity Challenge,” marking the fourth time in the last five seasons a Chiefs player has won the honor.
The winner of the challenge was determined by a fan vote that took place from Dec. 5 to Jan. 6. The 32 nominees (one per team) for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award were eligible for the charity challenge.
With the win, Nationwide will be donating $35,000 to Kelce’s foundation, Eighty-Seven & Running.
Congratulations to @tkelce on winning the 2024 Nationwide Charity Challenge!
In recognition of Kelce’s win, @Nationwide has awarded a $35,000 donation to Kelce’s foundation, 87 & Running. #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/ONUWgfsbXh
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2025
Due to this latest honor, Kelce has made a bit of NFL history. This now marks the second time the former Cincinnati Bearcats star has won the challenge, with the first coming in 2020. In doing so, Kelce is now the first two-time winner of the challenge in its 10-year history, according to the Chiefs’ website.
There are three other Chiefs players to win the challenge, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2022, safety Tyrann Mathieu in 2021 and safety Eric Berry in 2015.
With Kelce winning the 2024 challenge, Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins finished second, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans came in third. Their charities will receive a $10,000 and $5,000 donation, respectively.
After winning the challenge, Kelce had a message for Chiefs fans, thanking them for their votes.
“Chiefs Kingdom,” Kelce said. “What’s going on everybody? Just wanted to give a big shoutout to the Kingdom on social media. I heard that we won the Walter Payton Charity Challenge on social media and, you know, I always got faith in the Kingdom to show up and show out and support theirs. Just another reason why I love you guys. Let’s go get it in the playoffs, though, man. I’ll see you guys up at Arrowhead.”
Chiefs Kingdom, you helped this champ win the #WPMOYChallenge presented by @Nationwide! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zY6EhxZ5Re
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 8, 2025
Jim McCoy, the Associate Vice President of Sports Marketing for Nationwide, also shared his congratulatory message to Kelce on Nationwide’s reveal.
“Congratulations to Travis on becoming the first two-time winner of Nationwide’s Charity Challenge,” McCoy said. “Thanks to all who voted for their favorite nominees and drawing well-deserved attention to the impact all of these players are making in communities everywhere.”
Kelce is the Chiefs’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The winner will be announced on Feb. 6 during the NFL Honors.
