If one were to ask even the most causal of NFL observers who the best tight end currently in the league is, it’s safe to say the majority would probably respond with former University of Cincinnati Bearcats legend and current Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. His NFL peers would certainly agree, as they ranked Kelce No. 21 overall and the highest tight end on the 2019 NFL Top 100 Players List. However, the recent success of Bearcats tight ends who transitioned to the National Football League, definitely extends beyond the Super Bowl LIV Champion Travis Kelce.
Former Bearcats tight end Brent Celek is a local born and bred Cincinnati product, who played at La Salle High School before roaming the Nippert Stadium turf from 2003-2006. While at UC, Celek was a team MVP, and garnered second team All-Big East honors. His sophomore year saw the season end with a win in the Forth Worth Bowl and a victory in the International Bowl as a senior. Celek was drafted in the fifth round (162nd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he spent his entire 11 year NFL career. At the time of his retirement Celek’s 398 receptions, 4,998 receiving yard and 31 receiving touchdowns ranked second in Eagles’ franchise history for a tight end. He retired following the 2017 season after being apart of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots. On February 7, 2020, Celek was hired as a personnel consultant by the Philadelphia Eagles.
