Swifties are rallying in defense of Travis Kelce after NFL analyst Rodney Harrison criticized the Kansas City Chiefs star for his recent underwhelming performances, suggesting Kelce’s off-field commitments might be distracting him from his football duties.
The Chiefs secured a 22-17 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, extending their undefeated start to the 2024 season to 3-0. However, Kelce’s performance continued to fall short of his usual standard, as the tight end finished with just four catches for 30 yards. The normally high-energy player looked visibly frustrated on the sidelines, a moment captured on camera that quickly went viral.
Kelce’s slow start to the season has raised eyebrows, with just 69 receiving yards across the first three games—a far cry from the dominance fans are used to seeing from the 34-year-old. He’s aiming to add a fourth Super Bowl ring to his collection this season, but so far, the results haven’t been there. His girlfriend, Taylor Swift, was notably absent from Sunday’s game in Atlanta, adding to the media buzz surrounding Kelce’s personal life and its potential impact on his performance.
Following the game, Rodney Harrison, working as an analyst for NBC, didn’t hold back in his critique of Kelce, pointing to the tight end’s off-field distractions as a possible explanation for his dip in form.
“He’s busy. He’s got a lot on his plate,” Harrison said. “You think about it. He’s doing a lot of different things. Media-wise, he’s playing football, he’s got other things going on. When you’re in that situation, you’ve got to forget about everything else and focus 100 percent on football. That’s the main responsibility.”
Harrison went on to praise the Falcons’ defense, especially Jesse Bates, who was instrumental in covering Kelce throughout the game. “He just doesn’t have the same speed. He’s a good player still, but I don’t believe he’s a great, great player,” Harrison added.
These comments triggered an immediate backlash from Taylor Swift’s fanbase, the “Swifties,” who were quick to defend Kelce on social media. Many argued that Harrison’s comments were unfair and had nothing to do with Kelce’s personal life or commitment to football.
One fan took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “This is such a BS talking point. Because if you actually paid attention to Trav, he’s 150% locked in on football. Outside of the podcast (that he films on his off day), we do not see him. All of the ‘stuff’ you see him involved with was done during the offseason. I’m tired.”
Another Swiftie directly tagged Harrison, writing, “@Rodney_Harrison I see you have a family, but what I don’t see is you saying that your wife is distracting you from your job. Keep Travis’s personal life away from the game, or put yours into it.”
Fans weren’t just defending Kelce; some questioned the Chiefs’ strategy and play-calling. Several believed that Kelce was being used as a decoy and blamed quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid for not targeting him more often. One fan tweeted, “And they start blaming his offseason stuff again, no one talks about how Mahomes doesn’t give him the ball when he’s open.”
Another fan challenged Harrison’s assessment of Kelce’s speed: “He doesn’t have the same speed, and yet he’s getting open every play and successfully blocking. I’m done.”
Mahomes himself addressed the issue after the game, acknowledging that Kelce’s constant double and triple coverage is making it difficult to get him the ball. “The respect factor they have for Travis is still unreal, and it’s well deserved,” Mahomes said. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it’s like two or three people are going to him. He understands. That’s the great thing about him. He wants to make an impact on the game, but he wants to win at the end of the day.”
Mahomes also highlighted that as other players like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy step up, defenses may start shifting their focus, which could open more opportunities for Kelce down the road.
Despite the criticisms, Kelce has maintained a professional attitude, focusing on improving his game. His off-field relationship with Swift has drawn significant media attention, but his performance on the field remains his primary concern. Swift, who attended the Chiefs’ first two home games this season, was noticeably absent from the game in Atlanta, despite having no scheduled tour dates as she enjoys a break from her international Eras Tour. The pop superstar was seen the night before in New York City, dining with her close friend Gigi Hadid, sparking speculation about why she didn’t attend the game.
As for Kelce, the upcoming games will be crucial in proving that his slow start is just a blip and not indicative of a larger issue. With the Chiefs continuing their push for a third consecutive Super Bowl, Kelce will have ample opportunities to silence his critics and show that he’s still one of the NFL’s elite players.
Meanwhile, Swifties remain ready to defend both Kelce and their queen, ensuring that any hint of criticism against either is met with fierce support.
