All eyes were on Travis Kelce during Sunday’s game, but it wasn’t just his performance that had fans buzzing — it was his strikingly forlorn demeanor on the sidelines, made even more noticeable by the absence of a familiar face in the crowd.
Travis Michael Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, seemed out of sorts during the team’s game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
A user comment on Travis Kelce’s look, dated September 23, 2024 | Source: x/hornsbykid
The game, which ended in a 22-17 victory for the Chiefs, was marked by Kelce’s unusually subdued performance. With pop star Taylor Swift notably absent from the stands for the first time this NFL season, fans were quick to notice Kelce’s less-than-stellar form and apparent sadness.
Travis Kelce pictured in a video shared on September 23, 2024 | Source: x/TayvisHaze
Kelce, who managed only four catches for 30 yards, was captured in a viral clip on social media looking visibly dejected on the sidelines. In the clip, the 34-year-old sports star can be seen rubbing his right eye before staring blankly into space, sparking speculation that something might be troubling him.
Fans quickly linked his lackluster performance to Swift’s absence, taking to social media to share their thoughts. One user wrote, “What happened to him???” Another commented, “His gf isn’t here. If she was here then he would’ve played better. But what do I know 😂.”
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs on September 22, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
Netizens even noticed Kelce’s despondent look, with one stating, “free travis kelce man [sic].” Some fans were convinced his poor showing was a sign of deeper emotional distress. “He seems down. 😕,” one fan shared, while another plainly remarked, “No Taylor…” hinting at the possibility that Swift’s absence had a significant effect on Kelce’s performance.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift on September 08, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
As more fans weighed in, the comments grew increasingly speculative. “Travis Kelce looks absolutely DONE,” wrote one fan, while another referenced a viral photo of actor Ben Affleck looking exhausted with a cigarette in hand. “Starting to look familiar…” the user divulged, comparing Kelce’s demeanor to the iconic image of Affleck looking miserable.
Travis Kelce on September 22, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
Rumors about Kelce’s relationship with Swift also began circulating, with one fan suggesting, “The relationship is ending between him and Taylor Swift.” Another comment reflected concern for the athlete, simply asking, “What happened [Travis] are you tired?” The final comment echoed similar sentiments about their relationship, stating, “Taylor didn’t show up tonight, maybe they broke up and he’s heartbroken.”
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs on September 22, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
According to sources, Swift chose not to travel with her boyfriend for the Kansas City Chiefs’ first away game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. Typically seen arriving about an hour before kickoff, this was the first game of the season that she missed, leaving fans speculating about her absence as the game began at 8:20 p.m. in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Taylor Swift on September 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri | Source: Getty Images
Swift’s absence from the game may have surprised fans, but her weekend plans were quite different. The singer was spotted out in New York City on Saturday night, September 21, alongside her close friend, Gigi Hadid. Swift was photographed donning a chic, autumnal outfit that turned heads.
Taylor Swift is seen on September 22, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix
The 34-year-old Grammy winner looked effortlessly stylish in a plaid mini skirt paired with a cropped black sweater, showing off her signature fashion-forward yet laid-back style.
Her look was completed with a wide brown belt cinching the skirt at the waist, and she carried a small brown leather handbag, perfectly complementing the ensemble. The “Love Story” singer’s wavy blonde hair was left down in soft curls, and she wore a subtle makeup look with bold red lipstick that added a pop of color.
Taylor Swift is pictured on September 22, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix
Hadid, walking alongside Swift, opted for a more understated look. She wore a long, brown trench coat layered over a white shirt, accessorizing with a yellow handbag. While Hadid’s outfit was more neutral, it perfectly contrasted Swift’s preppy, bold look, making the duo a fashionable pair as they strolled through the streets of New York.
Interestingly, just a couple of days earlier, it was Travis Kelce who was absent from Taylor Swift’s side at the 2024 VMAs, sparking similar speculation about the couple’s relationship.
Taylor Swift on September 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York | Source: Getty Images
Swift’s beau was MIA at this year’s VMAs for a specific reason that a media outlet revealed before the music event. Despite confirming the reason for his absence at the awards show where Swift shared some words about him, some netizens think there is more to the story.
User comment about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, posted on September 12, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix
According to an article published by Page Six, Kelce could not attend the VMAs at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, because of work. The music event, which was set to be a very big night for Swift, took place on Wednesday evening, September 11.
Travis Kelce during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri on September 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Speaking exclusively to Page Six about the Kansas City tight end’s inability to attend, an insider disclosed, “[Travis] had to be back in Kansas City by Tuesday for practice.”
Travis Kelce warming up ahead of the Super Bowl LVIII in Henderson, Nevada on February 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The insider was referring to the upcoming game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals on September 15. The football teams are set to face off against each other in the Week 2 game at 4:25 p.m. ET.
This comes after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Week 1 match against the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 27-20.
Travis Kelce playing alongside fellow Kansas City Chief teammates against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri on September 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Seemingly unconvinced by what Page Six had to say, some netizens took to online platforms to assert what they think the real reasons are for Kelce having skipped the VMAs.
One commenter opined, “I think he’s not at Taylor’s award [show] because he’s not interested in her! He’s more interested in his career.” Bringing some humor into the mix, another sarcastically remarked, “He obviously doesn’t have time to have a matching dress made.”
Travis Kelce arriving before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri on September 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Others seem to think that Kelce’s absence may have implied that he and Swift, who was this year’s most nominated artist, are on the verge of calling it quits. “Now. The breakup we all heard was coming,” penned an observer while another said, “Great loss beginning of the end…”
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at the Men’s Singles Final match between Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner during the 2024 US Open in Queens borough, New York City on September 8, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Despite what some may think about where the Hollywood couple’s relationship is headed, neither Swift nor Kelce have spoken about a potential impending split.
In fact, far from alluding to a breakup being on the rise, the “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer gave her boyfriend a special shoutout during her acceptance speech at the VMAs.
Taylor Swift during her Video of the Year award acceptance speech at the 2024 VMAs in Elmont, New York on September 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
After accepting the award for Video of the Year, which she won for her and Post Malone’s song “Fortnight,” Swift spoke about how Travis Kelce cheered her on during the music video filming process.
Taylor Swift during her award acceptance speech at the 2024 VMAs. | Source: YouTube/@MTV
“Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I’d say cut […] I would always just hear like someone like cheering and like, ‘Woo,’ like from across the studio, uhm, where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend Travis,” recalled the star.
Upon mentioning his name and calling him her boyfriend, the crowd went wild. “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So I wanna thank him for adding that to our shoot because I’ll always remember that,” added Swift.
Taylor Swift performing on stage with Travis Kelce and backup dancers during The Eras Tour in London, England on June 23, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The reaction Swift’s acceptance speech garnered online was very different from the excited cheers she received from the VMA audience. Some netizens seem to think that the moment had an undercover agenda.
Taylor Swift | Source: Getty Images
“She had to mention [Kelce], it’s part of the ‘arrangement,'” stated a social media user on Instagram. Similarly, another echoed, “‘[I’ll] always remember that.’ The contract between them is about to end. 💀.”
Taylor Swift | Source: Getty Images
“He is loving the fame.. 😂,” noted another spectator while someone else exclaimed, “Not a fan of hers anymore! Actually never was!”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Thermal, California on April 13, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While both Swift and Kelce’s absences from key moments in each other’s lives have fueled breakup rumors, neither has addressed the speculation, leaving fans eagerly watching for what comes next in their high-profile relationship
