Stephen A Smith throws brutal shade at Travis Kelce amid Taylor Swift romance after lackluster game

Travis Kelce struggled to make an impact as the Chiefs saw off the Cincinnati Bengals in dramatic fashion on September 15
PUBLISHED SEP 18, 2024
Stephen A Smith brutally mocked Travis Kelce amid his romance with Taylor Swift (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas; Getty Images)
Stephen A Smith brutally mocked Travis Kelce amid his romance with Taylor Swift (Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas; Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Stephen A Smith didn't hold back when he took aim at Travis Kelce's lackluster performance during the Kansas City Chiefs’ nail-biting win against the Cincinnati Bengals, on September 15.

Despite the Chiefs securing a 26-25 victory with Harrison Butker’s clutch last-second field goal, Kelce’s on-field presence was barely noticeable. 

Stephen A. Smith speaks onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 Invest Fest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 25, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Stephen A. Smith joked that Kelce's girlfriend Taylor Swift appeared more than him from the stands
 (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

 Smith was quick to joke that girlfriend Taylor Swift got more airtime than the star tight end.

Stephen A Smith calls out Travis Kelce's lackluster performance

Travis Kelce, usually a game-changer for the Chiefs, had a rough outing with only one catch for five yards.

This marked his second consecutive game without a touchdown. Across the first two games of the season, he’s recorded just four receptions for 39 yards - an unusual stat line for someone of Kelce's caliber.

On ESPN’s 'First Take', Smith didn’t mince words. "I love my brother from another mother, Travis Kelce," he began, before delivering the punchline.



 

"[But] we saw more Taylor Swift than we saw Travis Kelce yesterday on a Sunday afternoon, and any other time that's applicable. That ain't supposed to happen yesterday."

Smith wasn't done.

He continued, "We supposed to see more Travis Kelce yesterday than we saw her. That's not happening. You got to get it going, bro. You got 39 receiving yards in the first two games. Come on now, it's time. Football season is here. Honeymoon's over. Let's handle our business."

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 15: Taylor Swift watches as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift watches as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Swift, who has been dating Kelce for over a year, was again in the stands at Arrowhead Stadium, supporting him as she has been since the early days of their romance.

While the duo has quickly become one of the most talked-about celebrity couples, some speculate that their relationship might be impacting Kelce’s game.

Jason Whitlock questions Travis Kelce's focus

Conservative commentator Jason Whitlock took it a step further.

After Kelce’s underwhelming showing in the Chiefs’ Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Whitlock suggested that his high-profile romance could be affecting his performance.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Jason Whitlock (@realjasonwhitlock)


 

On his 'Fearless' podcast, Whitlock said, "I'm wondering if all of the extracurricular activities, all of the pressure and the burden of being Taylor Swift's boyfriend, if that could be drawing energy and focus away from football."

He also shared his thoughts on Instagran, writing, "The Injection of Taylor Swift in the NFL Will Destroy Masculinity."

Yet, not everyone is pinning the blame on Swift.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on befor
Travis Kelce only had one catch for five yards as the Chiefs saw off the Bengals at the very death (Getty Images)

Some, like journalist Steve Kim, believe that Kelce’s dip in production is simply a matter of age.

With Kelce nearing his 35th birthday, Kim argued that it’s only natural for him to experience a decline in athleticism.

"There used to be a time when he got the ball [and] he basically turned into a big, strong wide receiver with his ability to make people miss, get extra yards," Kim explained, as per Daily Mail.

"I really don't see that anymore, and it's only natural to have an erosion of athleticism right around your mid-30s."

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