While the Kansas City Chiefs sit out of the playoffs for the first time in a decade, tight end Travis Kelce gave the organization something to celebrate. Kelce won the Walter Payton Man of the Year “Charity Challenge,” becoming the first player to ever win three times.
The fan-voted victory delivers a $35,000 donation to a charity of Kelce’s choice. The Chiefs announced on January 7, “Those funds will further add to Kelce’s already immense impact on Operation Breakthrough, which provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty throughout the Kansas City metro.
“Kelce has contributed nearly $2 million to the organization over the years through a combination of personal donations and various directed funds, spearheading the effort to build the ‘Ignition Lab”‘– a hands-on learning center – that has impacted 1,000 students since 2020.”
Travis Kelce is the first-ever three-time winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge presented by @Nationwide!
This honor adds a $35k donation to Trav’s charity of choice, Operation Breakthrough. Thank you Chiefs Kingdom, and congrats @tkelce ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6qpbkT7X8F
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 7, 2026
Before the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is announced next month, a deep dive into all 32 nominees’ foundations, including Kelce’s Eight-Seven & Running, raised some eyebrows this week.
