Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos, team staff intervened to prevent cameras from capturing tight end Travis Kelce as he walked back to the locker room. The incident occurred during a live broadcast by Prime Video, which included footage of Kelce interacting with fans at Arrowhead Stadium.
After the game, a staff member wearing a Chiefs sweatshirt was heard instructing the Prime Video crew to halt their filming. “I’ve told you,” he stated, before bringing over a colleague in a suit to ensure the cameras did not follow Kelce into the hallway. The situation left both commentators and viewers puzzled, as they attempted to understand the abrupt decision to block the cameras. One commentator remarked that they would not allow a camera to proceed “for whatever reason,” while another noted that Kelce was “ready to roll,” as he moved away from the footage.
This game marked Kelce’s final home appearance for the NFL season, with his fiancée, Taylor Swift, present to support him. The Chiefs fell to the Broncos with a score of 20-13, raising questions among fans about whether this could be Kelce’s last home game of his career. Despite speculation, Kelce has not confirmed any retirement plans. “I think I’d rather just keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now,” he stated during a press conference earlier this month. “All the conversations that I have with the team and everything moving forward will be with them.”
This incident with the cameraman follows a period of criticism directed at Kelce after he declined to speak with the media following the Chiefs’ elimination from the NFL playoffs on December 14. During that game against the Los Angeles Chargers, quarterback Patrick Mahomes sustained a serious injury, tearing his ACL and sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Kelce’s refusal to comment after the playoff loss drew ire from commentators, including ESPN’s Chris Russo, who expressed disappointment over the tight end’s lack of engagement with reporters.
Russo’s remarks highlighted the dedication of journalists covering the Chiefs, noting that they had followed the team through extensive preparations and seasons. “You can’t give them three words?” he questioned, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the media and fans after significant losses.
As speculation continues regarding Kelce’s future, fans and analysts alike await further developments on both his career and the Chiefs’ performance as the season progresses.
