Travis Kirschke is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on September 6, 1973, in Los Angeles, California, and attended Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, California. Kirschke played college football at UCLA, where he was a standout defensive lineman.
After going undrafted in the 1996 NFL Draft, Kirschke signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent. He spent the 1996 season on the Lions' practice squad before being released in 1997. Kirschke then signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in 10 games over two seasons.
In 1999, Kirschke signed with the Denver Broncos, where he played for four seasons. He was a key member of the Broncos' defense during their Super Bowl XXXIII championship season in 1999. Kirschke played in all 16 regular-season games that year, recording 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
After his time with the Broncos, Kirschke signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003. He played in 13 games that season, recording 22 tackles and 2 sacks. Kirschke became a regular starter for the Steelers in 2004, playing in all 16 regular-season games and recording 47 tackles and 3 sacks. He was a key member of the Steelers' defense during their Super Bowl XL championship season in 2005, playing in all 16 regular-season games and recording 39 tackles and 2 sacks.
Kirschke continued to play for the Steelers through the 2009 season, serving as a backup defensive end and a key contributor on special teams. He played in 16 regular-season games in each of his final two seasons with the team, recording a total of 33 tackles and 1 sack.
Kirschke retired from the NFL after the 2009 season, having played in 194 regular-season games over his 13-year career. He recorded a total of 276 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions during his career. Kirschke was known for his versatility and his ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line.
After retiring from football, Kirschke returned to his hometown of Diamond Bar, California, where he currently works as a high school football coach. He is also involved in various charitable organizations, including the Travis Kirschke Foundation, which supports children's charities in the Los Angeles area.
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