The Kansas City Chiefs are showing their unity and unwavering support for one of their leaders, tight end Travis Kelce, who has recently faced criticism for his performance on the field. Ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs wide receivers Rashee Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Mecole Hardman donned custom T-shirts featuring Kelce’s image and name, demonstrating solidarity with their teammate.
According to CBS Sports reporter Tracy Wolfson, it was Rice who took the initiative to purchase the shirts for the team as a way to “honor their leader and a guy who has mentored all of them.” The black T-shirts, adorned with the Chiefs’ colors, displayed various images of Kelce in action.
On the back, the shirt bore the logo of the brand “Dreamathon,” which created the custom design, along with more photos of Kelce, 34, in his football uniform.
Although these particular Kelce-themed shirts are not yet available on Dreamathon’s website, fans can find similar merchandise, including a Patrick Mahomes shirt priced at $60. This gesture of support isn’t new for the Chiefs’ offense. The previous week, players wore similar Dreamathon shirts in honor of running back Isiah Pacheco, who was recovering from an injury sustained during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in mid-September.
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Kelce has been under the spotlight due to a slow start to the 2024-2025 NFL season, compounded by increased media attention surrounding his personal life, especially his high-profile romance with global pop icon Taylor Swift. Critics have questioned whether his off-field lifestyle is affecting his performance.
Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay sparked controversy last week by suggesting that Kelce’s recent struggles on the field might be due to his “jet-setting” lifestyle. McShay bluntly pointed out Kelce’s increased public appearances and social engagements since his relationship with Swift became public, claiming that the tight end appeared to be out of shape compared to previous seasons.
“Every show I watch, every pregame show, halftime show, postgame show, weekday show, every broadcast for the last few weeks, it’s like, are we not allowed to say that he’s out of shape?” McShay questioned. “He’s been partying all offseason, jet-setting with the most famous person probably in the world.”
McShay also referenced Kelce and Swift’s night out in New York City earlier this month, where they were seen at the US Open. He went on to compare Kelce’s physical condition in preseason 2022 to preseason 2024, claiming they were “barely the same human being.”
In response to the scrutiny, Kelce addressed his performance during an episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. While reflecting on his recent gameplay, Kelce admitted that he could be performing better.
“We’re finding ways to win games, but we’re not playing our best football,” Kelce said. “Everybody can clean it up. I think everyone saw my drop in the fourth quarter with that crucial third down.” He admitted that he was “trying to do too much” before securing the ball and acknowledged the need to focus more on “making the play in big-time moments.”
Despite the criticisms, Kelce didn’t offer excuses for his performance. He noted that defenses are playing differently against the Chiefs, limiting his opportunities for big plays down the field. Nevertheless, he remained committed to improving his game moving forward. “I’m not using that as an excuse,” he said. “Moving forward, [I’m] still trying to make sure that I can help the team out in that regard.”
While Kelce continues to face scrutiny, the support from his teammates speaks volumes about the respect and admiration they have for him as a leader.
The Chiefs’ decision to rally behind their star tight end with custom shirts is just one example of how the team is sticking together, both on and off the field, as they push through the challenges of the season.
