Travis Kelce clears air about his loyalty to Cleveland Guardians after baseball date with Swift sparks controversy

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has hit back at claims questioning his loyalty to the Cleveland Guardians, after his recent appearance at Yankee Stadium with pop sensation Taylor Swift caused a stir among Guardians fans. The NFL tight end, who grew up just outside Cleveland, found himself in hot water after attending the Guardians’ playoff clash against the New York Yankees without sporting any Cleveland colors or merchandise.

Travis Kelce on being a true Cleveland fan:

The controversy unfolded earlier this week when Kelce and Swift were spotted together in New York, sparking backlash from fans who criticized him for not visually supporting his team. To make matters worse, some observers accused Kelce of appearing to enjoy a home run by Yankees star Juan Soto, leading to accusations that he wasn’t a “real fan” of his hometown team.

In response, Kelce took to social media on Thursday night to defend himself following Cleveland’s dramatic comeback victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Kelce expressed his frustration at the criticism in a fiery statement. “I’ve been a Cleveland sports fan my entire life,” Kelce wrote, accompanied by three laughing emojis. “Make it back to countless amount of games over the years both Guards and Cavs just to enjoy these memories with my friends and family, WIN OR LOSE!!”

Kelce went on to dismiss the notion that not wearing team gear made him any less of a fan, writing, “I don’t wear Cleveland gear one time [laughing emoji] and all of a sudden I’m not a real fan?! Ask anybody that was in or around that suite on Game 1 who I was cheering for, they’ll let you know I was there for the @CleGuardians.”

The incident highlights the passionate nature of sports fandom, where public figures often face scrutiny for how they express their loyalty to their teams. Despite the backlash, Kelce’s defense was bolstered by Cleveland’s stunning victory over New York, which saw the Guardians come from behind to defeat the Yankees in a thrilling playoff contest.

Kelce, who is well-known for his love of Cleveland sports, made it clear that his allegiance to the Guardians remains unwavering, even if his choice of attire might not always reflect it. His vocal defense on social media will likely resonate with many fans, as he continues to navigate life under the public eye alongside one of the world’s biggest pop stars.