5 Times Travis Kelce Faced Disciplinary Action: The Truth Behind His Only Major Suspension

The question "Was Travis Kelce suspended?" is one of the most persistent rumors surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs star, especially given his fiery on-field persona and recent high-profile incidents. As of December 15, 2025, the definitive answer is complex: No, Travis Kelce has not been suspended by the NFL for any recent misconduct, including the viral Super Bowl LVIII sideline altercation with coach Andy Reid. However, the tight end's career was nearly derailed by a significant, year-long suspension during his college years, a crucial detail often overlooked in current headlines.

This article will break down the full disciplinary history of the future Hall of Famer, separating the sensationalized rumors from the documented facts, and revealing the total amount he has been fined by the NFL throughout his career. Understanding this history provides essential context for his journey to becoming one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Travis Kelce's Complete Biography and Profile

Travis Michael Kelce is a dominant force in the National Football League and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world today. His path to stardom was not without significant hurdles, including a pivotal college suspension that changed the trajectory of his career.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Travis Michael Kelce
• Born: October 5, 1989 (Age 36 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Westlake, Ohio
• High School: Cleveland Heights High School
• College: University of Cincinnati
• Draft: 2013 NFL Draft, Round 3, Pick 63 (Kansas City Chiefs)
• Position: Tight End (TE)
• NFL Career Highlights:
  • Multiple Super Bowl Champion (LIV, LVII, LVIII)
  • Multiple-time First-team All-Pro
  • Multiple-time Pro Bowl selection
  • NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
  • Holder of numerous NFL records for a tight end.
• Brother: Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles Center)
• Podcast: Co-host of the popular New Heights podcast with his brother.

The Definitive Answer: Was Travis Kelce Suspended by the NFL?

The short, most current answer is No, Travis Kelce has not been suspended by the NFL.

Despite numerous viral moments, ejections, and fines over his 12+ year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce has never faced a game suspension from the league for on-field conduct or violations of the personal conduct policy. The confusion often stems from two major, recent incidents that sparked widespread speculation.

The Truth About the Andy Reid Sideline Shove

During Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, Travis Kelce was seen aggressively confronting and briefly shoving Head Coach Andy Reid on the sideline after a turnover. The passionate outburst immediately went viral, leading to massive speculation about a potential suspension or a staggering fine, with some sensational reports even claiming a $10 million penalty.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The reality is that the NFL took no disciplinary action against Kelce for the Super Bowl incident. Both Kelce and Reid publicly downplayed the event, characterizing it as a heated moment between two competitors. Reid even joked about the incident, solidifying that the matter was resolved internally without league intervention.

Fines, Not Suspensions: Kelce’s NFL Disciplinary History

While he has avoided a suspension, Kelce has a documented history of fines for unsportsmanlike conduct, totaling over $133,918 since his second NFL season in 2014. These fines are the league's standard punishment for actions that violate the rules of conduct, which fall short of a full suspension.

Notable instances of his NFL disciplinary actions include:

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

• 2016 Ejection and Fine: Kelce was ejected from a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The second penalty came after he threw his towel at an official, mimicking a flag. He was subsequently fined $24,309 for the incident.
• 2024 Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fine: Kelce was fined $14,491 for making an obscene gesture during a Week 2 game (likely in the 2024 season), a common penalty for such actions.
• AFC Championship Game Fine: He has also been fined for actions during the AFC Championship Game, demonstrating a pattern of passionate, sometimes overly aggressive, behavior that results in monetary penalties.

The College Incident That Nearly Derailed His Career

The only true, major suspension in Travis Kelce's football career occurred long before he stepped onto an NFL field, during his time at the University of Cincinnati. This event was a pivotal moment that nearly ended his professional aspirations entirely.

The Year-Long Marijuana Suspension

In 2010, during his redshirt sophomore season, Kelce was suspended for the entire year by the University of Cincinnati football program. The cause was a failed drug test for marijuana, a violation of team rules.

The suspension was a wake-up call, as he was also stripped of his scholarship. He has since spoken openly about the incident on his podcast, New Heights, calling it a "red flag" moment that forced him to re-evaluate his priorities.

The Pivotal Position Change

The suspension did more than just cost him a season; it inadvertently saved his career. At the time, Kelce was playing quarterback and defensive end. When he returned to the team, then-head coach Butch Jones informed him he would have to switch positions to tight end to rejoin the roster.

This forced change, a direct consequence of his disciplinary action, put him on the path to becoming an NFL tight end, the position where he would eventually become a superstar. Without the suspension, it is highly likely he would have never developed into the record-breaking player he is today.

Topical Authority: How Travis Kelce's Disciplinary History Compares

While Kelce's fines and passionate outbursts are frequent topics of discussion, they are generally viewed as a byproduct of his competitive nature rather than a serious character flaw. The NFL's disciplinary system differentiates between on-field conduct (which typically results in fines and ejections) and off-field conduct or major policy violations (which result in suspensions).

Kelce's history is characterized by the former. His total fine amount of over $133,918 is high among non-quarterbacks, reflecting his consistent tendency toward unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, but it pales in comparison to players who have faced suspensions for violations like performance-enhancing drugs, substance abuse, or domestic violence. The fact that he has never missed an NFL game due to a league-imposed suspension speaks volumes about his ability to manage his intensity within the boundaries of major league rules.

Ultimately, the story of Travis Kelce's disciplinary action is a tale of two careers: a college career almost ruined by a suspension for a failed drug test, and an NFL career marked by significant fines but no suspensions, proving his ability to mature and channel his competitive fire effectively at the professional level.