Travis Kelce started Eighty-Seven & Running because of what he saw during his childhood. Growing up in the diverse suburb of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, his community transcended normal economic and cultural boundaries; merging rich and poor, black and white, and different religious affiliations into one big melting pot. Because of this he noticed some of his closest friends didn’t have the same family structure he was blessed with, and weren’t able to enjoy the same experiences.
While he was supported by “the village” of family and individuals in the community, Kelce struggled in school and at times lacked the motivation to keep going. Many of the people he considered role models in the community never came back to support their hometown once they reached success. Because of these experiences, Kelce felt obligated to provide opportunities to disadvantaged youth and to help them aspire beyond their current situations. Now as tight end #87 for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce’s passion for changing the plight of youth experiencing adversity is the inspiration behind Eighty-Seven & Running.
Eighty-Seven & Running helps underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills. Founded in 2015, we have remained dedicated to providing resources and enrichment opportunities for youth and their communities through fundraising, athletic programs, mentoring, and outreach initiatives