After a whirlwind summer spent with girlfriend Taylor Swift and a highly anticipated reunion with his teammates at training camp, NFL star Travis Kelce made his much-awaited return to the field during the Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 34-year-old tight end took to the gridiron at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, Aug. 10, marking his first game appearance since the Chiefs’ triumphant Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February. Kelce, who has become as well-known for his off-field presence as for his on-field prowess, didn’t disappoint in making a stylish entrance.
Ahead of the game, the Chiefs’ official Instagram account captured Kelce sporting a standout look: a patterned button-down shirt, khaki pants, gold sunglasses, a matching gold chain, and a cap emblazoned with “Superbad” in the font of the 2007 comedy film’s poster.
His Nike shoes, accented in the Chiefs’ signature red and gold, completed the ensemble, which quickly drew attention online.
Despite Kelce’s return, the Chiefs faced a challenging game, ultimately falling to the Jaguars 26-13. However, there were bright spots in the performance, including a high-energy touchdown from rookie running back Carson Steele and a solid 45-yard field goal from controversial kicker Harrison Butker. Kelce, though not heavily featured in the action, contributed alongside his teammates, showing flashes of the skill that has made him one of the league’s top tight ends.
The game also highlighted the need for the Chiefs to adapt to a new NFL rule concerning kickoffs, a point of concern for some critics. CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan noted the team’s struggles with the rule during the game, writing, “One of the big-picture takeaways from that first half is that the Chiefs clearly need to work on the new kickoff. A lot of struggles in multiple areas.”
Kelce’s offseason was anything but quiet, as he spent much of his time with Swift, also 34, as she continued her record-breaking Eras Tour across Europe. The couple was spotted together in various European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, and London, where Kelce even made a brief appearance onstage with Swift. Their globe-trotting adventures also included a romantic vacation in the Bahamas in March and a getaway to Italy in May.
As the summer drew to a close, Kelce’s focus shifted back to football. The Chiefs kicked off their training camp on July 21, marking the official start of preparations for the 2024-2025 NFL season. Kelce, ever the fan favorite, took time during an autograph day on July 28 to greet both Chiefs fans and Swifties alike. The event saw 16-year-old fan Hannah Calhoun, who traveled from Lexington, Ky., with her parents, presenting Kelce with friendship bracelets and a sign that read, “Travis, I have a blank space, so come write your name.”
“I love Taylor and I think she’s a great role model,” Hannah’s mother, Alison, told PEOPLE. “So I love that my daughter has her to look up to, and we thought, ‘Let’s do this, let’s go out and see Travis Kelce.’”
As the preseason continues, Kelce and the Chiefs will face the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 17, followed by another home game against the Chicago Bears on Aug. 22.
The real test, however, begins on Sept. 5, when the Chiefs officially kick off the new NFL season with a Thursday night opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. With the excitement of the summer behind him, Kelce will be looking to lead the Chiefs to another successful season, both on the field and in the hearts of fans.
