During Sunday’s game, Travis Kelce was the center of attention, but it was not just his play that had spectators enthralled — it was also his remarkably desolate attitude on the sidelines, which was accentuated by the lack of a well-known face in the stands. During the Kansas City Chiefs’ Sunday, September 22, 2024, game against the Atlanta Falcons, star tight end Travis Kelce appeared unwell, which fueled rumors. The game, which concluded in a 22-17 victory for the Chiefs, was characterized by Kelce’s relatively muted performance. Pop sensation Taylor Swift was noticeably missing from the stands for the first time this NFL season, so fans quickly picked up on Kelce’s poor play and seeming melancholy.
Kelce, who only had four receptions for thirty yards, was seen on the sidelines appearing obviously dejected in a social media video that went viral. The 34-year-old sports star is seen in the video wiping his right eye and then staring out into space, raising the possibility that he is having trouble. Swift’s absence was soon connected by fans to his dismal performance, and they took to social media to express their opinions. A commenter asked, “Whatever happened to him???” Another said, “His girlfriend is not present. He would have performed better if she had been present. However, what can I say 
?”
Even online users observed Kelce’s dejected expression; one user said, “release travis kelce dude [sic].” Some admirers believed that his lackluster performance indicated more serious emotional issues. “He seemed depressed. One admirer said, “
,” while another simply said, “No Taylor,” implying that Swift’s absence may have had a big impact on Kelce’s performance. The remarks became more and more conjectural as more admirers added their voices. One fan commented, “Travis Kelce looks completely DONE,” while another made reference to a widely shared image of actor Ben Affleck appearing worn out and holding a cigarette. “Beginning to look familiar,” the user revealed, drawing a comparison between Kelce’s expression and the famous picture of Affleck appearing depressed.
There were also rumors going around regarding Kelce and Swift; one admirer even suggested that “the relationship is ending between him and Taylor Swift.” “What happened [Travis] are you tired?” was a comment that expressed worry for the athlete. The last comment, “Taylor did not show up tonight, maybe they split up and he is upset,” reflected similar feelings about their relationship. Reportedly, Swift chose to remain in the area and was absent from her boyfriend’s side, missing the Chiefs’ opening 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. Fans might have been taken aback by Swift’s decision to skip the game because her weekend plans were very 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.