Travis Kelce Faces Boos at Arrowhead During College Football Match
Travis Kelce, a celebrated figure in Chiefs Kingdom, found himself in an unusual position at Arrowhead Stadium on August 28. The tight end, known for his prowess on the field, was there to support his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, as they faced off against the University of Nebraska.
As the game unfolded, Kelce's appearance on the Jumbotron sparked a wave of boos from the crowd. This reaction came despite his long-standing connection to the stadium, where he has played for 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The cheers he typically receives were replaced by jeers as he donned a Cincinnati Bearcats hat from his suite.
In a moment that captured the crowd's attention, Kelce pointed to his hat while the camera panned to a Cincinnati fan proudly wearing a jersey emblazoned with his name. This fan, however, was surrounded by Nebraska supporters who continued to express their disapproval with loud boos and thumbs-down gestures.
Although the game was officially a home game for Cincinnati, the stands were predominantly filled with Nebraska fans, likely due to the proximity of their campus in Lincoln, just three hours away from Arrowhead. In contrast, Cincinnati is located over eight hours from the venue.
The final score saw Nebraska triumph over Cincinnati with a close 20-17 victory. Video footage of Kelce's reception circulated on social media, eliciting varied reactions from viewers. One comment read, “Seriously Nebraska fans show some class…” while another lamented, “The behavior is embarrassing. Sit down.”
One Nebraska fan defended the crowd's reaction, stating, “We didn’t start booing until he showed his Bearcats hat. Nebraska is Chiefs nation.”
Kelce attended the game alongside his brother Jason, who also played for Cincinnati, and his fiancée, Taylor Swift. The event attracted several current Chiefs players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Looking ahead, Kansas City is set to travel to São Paulo, Brazil next week for their 2025 regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 5.
Kelce's experience at Arrowhead echoed a similar moment for Swift during Super Bowl LIX in February when she faced boos from the crowd at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome after being shown on the Jumbotron.
