The NFL season is in full swing, but it seems the headlines are more about the off-field antics than the actual games. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is once again the center of attention, but this time, it’s not for his touchdowns or his iconic touchdown celebrations—it’s for his relationship with global pop sensation Taylor Swift. The unlikely pair has become the talk of the NFL world, with fans speculating that Taylor Swift might be distracting Kelce, affecting his performance. But when this chatter made its way to The View, none other than Whoopi Goldberg jumped to Swift’s defense, putting Chiefs fans in their place.
During the September 24th episode of The View, the co-hosts weighed in on the rising narrative that Kelce’s romance with Swift is behind his slow start to the season. While the Chiefs remain undefeated with a 3-0 record in their first three games, Kelce’s individual stats have sparked some concern among fans, and a vocal minority has been quick to point fingers at his superstar girlfriend.
“Some of these Chiefs fans are saying Taylor Swift is taking Travis’s mind off the game,” Whoopi began, before sharply pointing out the flaw in their logic. “They must have forgotten that they won the Super Bowl last year, and Travis and Taylor were just as tight then as they are now. So what has changed?”
Whoopi’s comments come in the wake of Kansas City’s continued success. Despite some grumblings about Kelce’s on-field production, the Chiefs are undefeated and projected to be serious Super Bowl contenders this season. Co-host Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin echoed Whoopi’s sentiment, highlighting that the Chiefs’ winning streak should be all the proof fans need that Kelce’s relationship isn’t a distraction.
“They’ve won three games. They’re 3-0! What’s the problem?” Alyssa exclaimed. “Projected to be the Super Bowl champions. I mean, I don’t know what has changed. But she wasn’t even at the game. Is she supposed to play the game too?”
The Swift-Kelce narrative has dominated headlines for weeks, and it’s clear that Swift’s influence, both positive and negative, extends far beyond her music career. Fans have praised her for bringing fresh attention—and likely new viewership—to the NFL. Yet, as Sarah Haynes pointed out, some are quick to criticize when the slightest hiccup occurs.
“People were excited that she’s adding tons of viewership and money to the sport,” Haynes said. “She did all these great things, and it’s like, let’s celebrate her! But then, as soon as things don’t go the way they want, people are quick to rip her down. It’s so hypocritical.”
The criticism of Taylor Swift didn’t stop there. Whoopi reminded viewers that Travis Kelce has been involved in plenty of off-field activities of his own, including acting and commercial shoots, which might be contributing to his slightly slower start on the field.
“This is a guy who’s doing movies, now. He’s doing television commercials. He’s doing all kinds of stuff,” Whoopi said. “Maybe he’s not 12 anymore. But that’s okay. He’s been busy!”
Kelce recently starred in Ryan Murphy’s new show Grotesquery and has been appearing in a slew of commercials, which may also be demanding his attention off the field. However, the superstar tight end still remains one of the most vital players for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelsey, has also stepped in to defend his brother amidst the public scrutiny. In a recent episode of their podcast, Jason offered words of encouragement, showing unwavering support for Travis in the face of the recent backlash.
“It’s going to go your way, especially if you freaking keep being the guy you’ve always been,” Jason said. “Ain’t nobody I’ve ever played with who loves being out there more than Trav.”
Jason, who plays center for the Philadelphia Eagles, knows a thing or two about NFL pressure and sibling dynamics, and his message for Travis was simple—stay the course and ignore the noise. “I can’t wait for it to turn,” he added.
As the Swift-Kelce relationship continues to dominate conversations, it’s becoming clear that their high-profile romance has brought out a variety of opinions. While some fans believe that Taylor Swift is a distraction for Travis, others, like The View co-hosts, see the criticism as unfair and misplaced.
Whether it’s Travis’s Hollywood endeavors, Taylor’s influence, or just the natural ebb and flow of an NFL season, one thing is certain—this power couple has the world’s attention. And as long as the Chiefs keep winning, it’s hard to argue that anything is really amiss. But in a world where Taylor Swift’s every move makes waves, expect the headlines to keep coming, both on and off the field.
For now, as Whoopi Goldberg so sharply put it, perhaps it’s time to let Travis focus on the game and stop pointing fingers at his superstar girlfriend. After all, the Chiefs are still on top, and Taylor Swift might just be the league’s new good luck charm.
