Travis Kirschke (born December 22, 1974) is a former American football defensive end who played for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
Early Life and College Career
Kirschke was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He attended Scottsbluff High School before playing college football for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. During his collegiate career, he was a key defensive player for the Cornhuskers, contributing to their national championship victories in 1994 and 1995.Professional Career
Kirschke was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (114th overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft.- Detroit Lions (1997–2003): He played seven seasons with the Lions, primarily serving as a rotational defensive lineman and contributing on special teams. He appeared in 100 games for the Lions, recording 10.0 sacks and several forced fumbles.
- San Francisco 49ers (2004–2007): Kirschke then signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for four seasons. He continued his role as a reliable veteran presence on the defensive line, appearing in 56 games for the team.
Over his eleven-season NFL career, Kirschke played in 156 regular season games, accumulating 15.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries. He was known for his durability, strong work ethic, and versatility on the defensive line.