Travis Kelce is no stranger to busting a move on the football field, whether as part of an actual play, or celebrating one afterward.
The Chiefs tight end has broken out several celebrations over the years, taking inspiration from previous greats such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Deion Sanders — and even Donkey Kong. Considering he has 86 career touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs, he has had more than a few chances to break out some moves.
One in particular could be a point of contention for Bengals fans during the AFC championship game in Kansas City. It's called "Down the Drive," a cheer-turned-touchdown celebration Kelce has broken out at least once in the NFL as an homage to the University of Cincinnati (where he played for five years).
While Bengals fans surely appreciate his love for the local school, they probably don't want it to come at their team's expense (though Bearcats fans who follow the Chiefs probably won't have any issue whatsoever).
MORE: Bengals players irk Chiefs with 'Burrowhead' nickname for Arrowhead Stadium
Regardless, no one's stopping Kelce from dancing if he scores a touchdown on Sunday. Here's everything you need to know about his "Down the Drive" celebration, should he decide to bust a move on the Bengals.
Travis Kelce touchdown celebration
Kelce has performed the "Down the Drive" touchdown dance at least once: in the Chiefs' Week 17 game at Cincinnati in the 2021 season. Following a 3-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter that put Kansas City up 14-0, Kelce was seen performing the Bearcats cheer as a touchdown celebration:
When in the Queen City…@tkelce celebrating with Down the Drive in Cincinnati just feels right.#BearcatsInTheNFL
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) January 2, 2022
📺: #KCvsCIN on CBSpic.twitter.com/zdmi3VJtXw
It stands to reason Kelce could perform that dance again in Sunday's AFC championship game rematch vs. Cincinnati — the teams' fourth meeting over the last two seasons. That almost certainly would create mixed emotions for fans who support both the Bearcats and Bengals.
For anyone who wants to emulate Kelce's dance — or for anyone who just likes to dance — there are several guides from the University of Cincinnati on how to perform the cheer. Per the school:
The football crowd has adopted and embraced the cheer portion — rolling their arms, yelling 'Oooo' a few times and ending with a loud 'U-C" with arms shoved up into a 'U' (like a touchdown call) and then arms stretched out to the left into a 'C.'
Here's an example of the cheer, as performed by Cincinnati cheerleaders in September 2015:
Where does 'Down the Drive' come from?
"Down the Drive" is a cheer popular at Bearcats sporting events, one which the university dates back to "probably the late 1960s." There appears to be some debate as to who in the UC band exactly came up with the cheer. Cincinnati also said the music accompanying the cheer has changed since its inception:
The music has been altered, adjusted, modified, refashioned, reworked, added to and, after nearly 50 years, somehow became what is heard today. The addition of the U-C came later, as the band used to line up in the CCM garage — which turned out to be an excellent echo chamber.
One other thing is certain — despite the debate over how it got here, 'Down the Drive' remains as powerful a tradition today as it was decades ago.
As long as players of Kelce's caliber continue to perform the cheer — and against Cincinnati's hometown Bengals, no less — that should continue for some time.
