Travis Kelce Loses Prestigious NFL Award Before Super Bowl LIX

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emily Bicks | Last updated Feb 6, 2025 11:23 PM ET

Kansas City Chief tight end Travis Kelce made NFL history during the team's playoff run to a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance this year.

Kelce broke the league's record for most postseason receptions (174), and is close to unseating Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's record for most touchdown catches (22) and receiving yards (2,245). Kelce has 20 touchdowns and 2,039 yards in 24 playoff games.

The Chiefs celebrated 35-year-old All-Pro's contributions off the field as well, announcing Kelce as their nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee in December. A month later, the 10-time Pro Bowler won the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Nationwide Charity Challenge fan vote competition, securing a $35,000 donation to Kelce's charity, 87 & Running.

During the NFL Honors awards ceremony on Feb. 6, however, Kelce was overlooked for what's considered the league's most prestigious award.

This winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award went to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive Arik Armstead, a five-time nominee.

"Receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is an incredible honor—one that goes beyond football," Armstead said. "This award represents the power of service, the responsibility to uplift others, and the impact we can create through education.

"Through the Armstead Academic Project, my mission has always been to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. This recognition is a testament to that work, but there's still so much more to do. I'm committed to using my platform to create real change—because the work doesn't stop here."

The most prestigious award the NFL gives out goes to #Jagaurs DL Arik Armstead. He's the Walter Payton Man of the Year. pic.twitter.com/OO17CrgsTE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 7, 2025

While Armstead is incredibly deserving of the award, fans were still upset Kelce didn't win. One fan posted , "I damn well thought that this would’ve been Travis Kelce." Another person wrote, "Dam swifties couldn’t boost Travis enough," as fans of the tight end's girlfriend, Taylor Swift, pushed hard for him to win the charity challenge.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters earlier that day he hoped Kelce would walk away with the award, calling his teammate's work in the Kansas City community "unmatched."

Travis Kelce is nominated for this year's Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Patrick Mahomes thinks #87 would be a worthy winner: "He's given back to every community that's helped him ... He gives people opportunities to have great lives and to succeed in their life, as well." pic.twitter.com/ETqVFDZh4T
— Mark Poulose (@MarkPoulose) February 6, 2025