The fourth annual get-together, Tight End University (TEU), is underway on the Vanderbilt University campus on Nashville’s West End. Former retired Pro Bowler Greg Olsen, current San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, and Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce started the tradition of bringing the league’s tight ends together.
This edition collected its largest group, with over 70 tight ends and quarterbacks showing up to guide, learn, and work on techniques. Players also bond with activities that aren’t football-related, creating a fun atmosphere during the process.
Raising Cane’s provided an on-site food truck to distribute the Chicken Finger fuel and participated in the programs. Cane’s owner, Todd Graves, spoke to players in a classroom session, sharing his entrepreneurial story with comparisons to a football player’s journey.
“I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to these great athletes about my journey and the values that have helped me be successful along the way. Whether it’s football or the restaurant business, dreaming big and being fanatical in your pursuit to be elite is the same. I was happy to hear from the players they appreciated getting a perspective from someone in a different industry,” said Graves. “It’s a great group of guys, and I’m so proud of all they’ve achieved and will achieve for years to come. They have so many people looking up to them and have a great responsibility both on and off the field, and I have no doubt they’ll continue holding themselves to a high standard and pursuing excellence in all they do.”
Kelce addressed his fellow tight ends in a fiery speech to embrace the love for playing what he considers the best position in football.
Travis Kelce always knows how to get the boys fired up for Tight End University 🗣️@tkelce | @te_university | @chiefs pic.twitter.com/IjfnVPgKH1
— NFL (@NFL) June 20, 2024
“The biggest thing I wanted to let all the tight ends here know is that we do have the best position on the field. It is the best. It is the best because we’re all in open arms. We’re all the most relatable guys. We’re all the plumber, the utility guy, the landscaper, the electrician. You need a guy. We are the guy, and that’s why I love playing tight end.” said Kelce. “So, if you guys are here, don’t be afraid, man. Don’t be afraid to have a beer. Don’t be afraid to shake a hand and ask a question. Ask your fellow guys across the league what they saw on a certain route or what they think about going into a game. Man, that’s why we’re here. We’re here to get better. We’re here to have a good time, baby. So fire the f*** up!”
Kelce, through his many activities, continues to advocate for his position group with another successful TEU summit.
