‘Cringe.’ Travis Kelce chugs a beer while getting diploma. It’s not going down smoothly

Travis chugs a beer while getting his college diploma. Stay classy, Travis.

Kansas City Chiefs fans have seen Travis Kelce do this many times, chug a beer in a moment of joy. He wasn’t the first one to use the Super Bowl’s Lombardi Trophy to slide a cold one down his throat. Just last month he and his brother, Jason, had an impromptu chugging contest at a Cleveland Cavaliers game to the roar of the crowd.

Heck, even Kelce’s famous girlfriend herself chugged a beer at the Super Bowl for all the world to see. But for some reason, Kelce’s latest chug has gone down the wrong way. On Thursday night, the Kelce brothers taped their “New Heights” podcast at their alma mater, the University of Cincinnati.

During the show in the university’s basketball arena, the college surprised the brothers by presenting them the diplomas they never received Both earned degrees — Travis in interdisciplinary studies from the College of Arts and Sciences and Jason in marketing.

But neither were able to attend their graduation ceremonies. So university president Neville Pinto donned cap, gown and commencement regalia to present the brothers their diplomas.

Their parents, Donna Kelce and Ed Kelce, and UC athletic director John Cunningham, also in cap and gown, joined them on stage. The brothers wore caps and gowns, too, for their big moment. Before Travis got his diploma he chugged from the can in his hand, then slammed it on the ground.

The beer left in the can went flying. Awesome: Travis Kelce finally receives his college diploma while SLAMMING down a beer pic.twitter.com/QfSKzUQSTQ — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 12, 2024 The crowd loved it. The university president smiled. The athletic director?

Couldn’t really get a read on his thoughts. On X, formerly Twitter, Heartland College Sports, which covers the Big 12, declared: “ONLY Travis Kelce could get away with this.” Except he didn’t.

Because social media is now debating the moment in a backlash that recalls how people reacted when Kelce shoved Chiefs coach Andy Reid during the Super Bowl. On this matter, at least on social media, the “who cares what he does, it’s his life” factions are losing ground to the “time to grow up” folks. One little detail a lot of them appear to be missing: That wasn’t a real college graduation ceremony.

That was not that guy ruining everyone’s big moment. Kelce fan Allan Housell, aka @housell10, tweeted: “Love my guy Kelce but this is a little cringe slamming a beer can down at a college graduation lol.” Here’s a sampling of the two takes. Travis Kelce, 34 years old, chugs a beer while receiving his diploma.

Is this party guy act becoming too much? pic.twitter.com/z5LAB5RiCk — NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) April 12, 2024 Travis Kelce receives his diploma and then chugs a beer. I feel like the culture is shifting away from this type of drinking. He’s 34 years old. There’s a reason he’s supposed to be a role model though.

Fat, drunk, stupid = easier to control. pic.twitter.com/2rfn6BTm4j — Luke (@luke_brocks) April 12, 2024 I’m so glad Travis Kelce just ended his popularity with his beer graduation incident. It was cringe and he instantly lost his rizz. He won’t be able to get it back. He literally looked like an old dude trying to stay relevant with kids. Bye loser. — x0rSoonerBornr0x (@jabber_joe) April 12, 2024 As a Chiefs fan I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life. Kelce is at the OFFICIAL University of Cincinnati and he decides to shotgun a beer and slam it in front of children? Unreal.

Also getting his degree at 34?Could he be less of a good influence? pic.twitter.com/WZpJXsk6Kg — dirt (@i_am_dirtturd) April 12, 2024 Jason Kelce could legit slam a beer at a Presidential Inauguration and I’d watch it and still think “HELL YEAH BROTHER️” https://t.co/4lBa3VkIlA pic.twitter.com/oJDOV3yyRo — Buckeye Rationalist (@BuckeyeRational) April 12, 2024 Travis Kelce chugged a beer after graduating @KFCBarstool pic.twitter.com/YXNsgny0sn — Barstool U (@BarstoolU) April 12, 2024 Some of us grew up on @steveaustinBSR slamming and chugging beers weekly …

but you keep hating on 3 time Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce if it makes you feel better and sleep better at night https://t.co/DSuUloAp2l pic.twitter.com/Y0vCHWICI6 — Dev (@killer1elite14) April 12, 2024 Miserable people crying about Travis kelce drinking a beer — Bak (@JacobBak12) April 12, 2024 At a party style event, run by him? It seems churlish of you to make such a negative take without providing the context of where and when he was recieving that diploma. It’s a shame what modern media has become.

You could run a positive story about a high profile sports star… — UrbanAscetic (@urbanascetic) April 12, 2024 Sorry I simply don’t understand why anyone is mad about Travis Kelce chugging a beer? Do people think this was an actual graduation ceremony? It was literally a podcast recording — Dana (@GlaseIt) April 12, 2024 Apparently you’re only allowed to have fun and drink beer unless your name is Travis Kelce.

The fun stops at him, I guess. Personally, a goofy, funny&handsome man who knows how to have a good time is the least embarrassing thing. — post-eras depression. (@x_spookshowbaby) April 12, 2024 Jason Kelce could legit slam a beer at a Presidential Inauguration and I’d watch it and still think “HELL YEAH BROTHER️” https://t.co/4lBa3VkIlA pic.twitter.com/oJDOV3yyRo — Buckeye Rationalist (@BuckeyeRational) April 12, 2024 I don’t think even Travis Kelce could get away with chugging a beer and smashing it on the ground at an actual graduation ceremony. All in good fun for a good cause at the end of this event.

This is the brothers giving out a scholarship to a UC walk on.https://t.co/jLPLxiccz7 — Ri Korpop (@korpoppp) April 12, 2024 Travis & Jason finally had their official graduation. Definitely a night to remember. #TravisKelce #JasonKelce #Taylorswift #NewHeights pic.twitter.com/SBUtoQ1xcG — Tayvis1989 (@TayvisEra1989) April 12, 2024 Travis Kelce emotional during Graduation speech on #NewHeightsLive#TaylorSwift #NewHeightsCincy pic.twitter.com/NvKdCG2Uzx — Shiesty, Not Stirred (@TruthBeTelling) April 12, 2024 Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, are reportedly heading to Coachella this weekend where — music first! — drinking is only allowed in designated 21+ areas.

RELATED STORIES FROM KANSAS CITY STAR FOR PETE’S SAKE

Which Kelce brother would win a beer chugging contest? We found out at Cavaliers game MARCH 06, 2024 10:28 AM FOR PETE’S SAKE Kevin Harlan had funny call of Taylor Swift chugging a beer during Super Bowl FEBRUARY 20, 2024 12:09 PM

LISA GUTIERREZ

816-562-6832 Lisa Gutierrez has been a reporter for The Kansas City Star since 2000. She learned journalism at the University of Kansas, her alma mater. She writes about pop culture, local celebrities, trends and life in the metro through its people. Oh, and dogs. You can reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter –

@LisaGinKC.

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