Travis Kelce knows that any future criticism for Taylor Swift is his fault

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end warns that the spotlight on his relationship with the pop superstar could turn negative if the team’s winning streak falters

Travis Kelce, right, and Taylor Swift appear at Game 1 of the baseball AL Championship SeriesLAPRESSE

As the Kansas City Chiefs continue their strong run this NFL season, tight end Travis Kelce has voiced a concern that goes beyond the football field: the potential for his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, to face harsh criticism if the team’s success slips.

Over the past year, the relationship between Kelce and Taylor has drawn massive attention, with the singer frequently seen at Chiefs games and even making a notable appearance during last season’s Super Bowl. However, not all fans have welcomed her presence, with some expressing frustration at the amount of focus the NFL has placed on the pop star during broadcasts.

Now, as the undefeated Chiefs aim for another Super Bowl, Kelce worries that a single loss could ignite a wave of criticism aimed his girlfriend. . “We’ve just got to keep winning,” Kelce shared on his New Heights podcast, hosted with his brother Jason. “If we lose, it’s going to absolutely f***ing rain down, baby. Just got to keep winning and staying on top.”

The weight of expectation

Kelce’s concerns stem from a growing trend of fans targeting Swift whenever the Chiefs hit a rough patch. Despite the team’s 5-0 start this season, Kelce knows that even one misstep could bring negativity, especially given his high-profile relationship with the global superstar.

Pat McAfee, a sports analyst and guest on the podcast, was quick to reassure Kelce, arguing that his relationship with Swift has been nothing but positive for the NFL. “You and Taylor’s relationship is great for the sport,” McAfee commented. “It’s introducing the NFL to a whole new group of fans, and no one else could represent the league like you are right now.”

Criticism from last season

Kelce’s fears are not without precedent. Last season, during a December slump when the Chiefs were handed a surprising loss by the Las Vegas Raiders, several commentators took aim at the couple. Some suggested that Swift was a distraction and even partly blamed her for the Chiefs’ lackluster performance late in the year.

Critics like Skip Bayless and Clay Travis didn’t hold back on social media, with Bayless hinting that Swift might be a “distraction” for the Chiefs, while Travis tweeted: “The Chiefs are not a good football team and Travis Kelce looks like he should retire. Maybe Taylor Swift is the Chiefs’ Yoko Ono.”

Despite the harsh words, Kelce and the Chiefs were able to silence their critics by winning the Super Bowl in February. But as the new season unfolds, the scrutiny on both the team and Kelce’s relationship with Swift remains ever-present.

Pressure mounts as the season progresses

Kelce’s slower start this season didn’t help ease the chatter. With just eight catches in the first three games, some speculated that his high-profile romance and a busy offseason spent traveling with Swift had affected his performance. Taylor herself reportedly skipped a Chiefs game last month to help reduce the attention.

But Kelce has since bounced back, delivering standout performances in recent games to help the Chiefs stay undefeated heading into their bye week. Still, the tight end knows that the pressure is only growing as the team pushes for a historic Super Bowl three-peat.