Kansas City Chiefs' coach Steve Spagnuolo says Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's romance doesn't worry them
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS: Kansas City Chiefs coach Steve Spagnuolo has addressed the backlash directed at tight end Travis Kelce who has been at the center of media attention due to his high-profile relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Kelce, 35, experienced a slow start to the season following a busy offseason filled with travel and public outings with Taylor Swift, 34.
Despite the early struggles, the Chiefs, who are aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl title, have expressed confidence in their star player.
Steve Spagnuolo opens up on Travis Kelce's focus amid criticism
The tight end's sluggish start to the season with just eight catches in the first three games has sparked criticism from fans and analysts.
Many pointed to his whirlwind offseason with Swift as a possible factor contributing to his performance.
However, Kansas City Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has made it clear that the team remains unconcerned about Kelce's personal life affecting his game.
Spagnuolo dismissed the outside noise, saying, "I don't hear it. I don't feel it."
He shared these comments during an appearance on the 'Dan Le Batard Show,' adding, "I'm not flipping through the phone looking at that stuff. So I don't really hear it."
Despite the attention surrounding Kelce's off-field activities, Spagnuolo expressed confidence in his ability to deliver when needed.
"We don't worry about Travis," he said. "There's some guys in all of these professional sports that you know when you're gonna need them the most they're going to show up, and that's Travis," Spagnuolo continued, according to Daily Mail.
Travis Kelce's rebound on the field
After a shaky beginning to the season, Travis Kelce has since returned to form, catching 16 passes for 159 yards in his last two games.
His recent performances helped the Chiefs secure a 5-0 record. One standout moment in particular came during Kansas City's 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints where Kelce pulled off an underhanded lateral to Samaje Perine.
"He plays around with it in practice, and you'll see him do it all the time," Spagnuolo said, adding "So it's not like it hasn't been rehearsed before. I don't think it shocks his teammates when he's looking to do that."
Spagnuolo added that Kelce's willingness to make bold plays comes from his self-confidence.
"You have to have extreme self-confidence, which Travis does, to do something like that," the coach said.
Taylor Swift reportedly 'forced' to skip Kansas City Chiefs' game in Los Angeles
Travis Kelce's relationship with Taylor Swift has kept them in the spotlight. The couple has been spotted enjoying various outings in New York City, including a recent double date with Swift's close friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
They've also been seen attending sports events, such as the New York Yankees playoffs and the US Open men's final, where they were photographed displaying affection.
However, the increased media scrutiny reportedly influenced Swift's decision to skip a Chiefs game against the Los Angeles Chargers last month.
According to reports, Swift wanted to avoid drawing further attention to Kelce who had already faced a wave of criticism from some corners of the sports world.
