Travis Kelce sparked controversy on October 27, 2025, when cameras showed him lightly bouncing and tapping his feet during the national anthem before the Chiefs–Commanders game. Though he kept his hand over his heart, some viewers called it disrespectful, while others said the reaction was exaggerated and he simply looked nervous or was staying loose. The debate quickly revived memories of his 2017 decision to kneel in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick.

The conversation faded once the game began. With Taylor Swift in the stands, Kelce delivered his best performance of the season — six catches, 99 yards, and a touchdown tying Priest Holmes’ franchise TD record. Kansas City beat Washington 28–7, improving to 5–3. Mahomes threw for 299 yards and three TDs, and Rashee Rice returned strong from suspension.

Off the field, Kelce and Swift’s August 2025 engagement continued to dominate headlines. Her Instagram announcement, his GQ cover, and her comments on “The Graham Norton Show” kept them at the center of pop culture, even drawing a surprising congratulatory remark from Donald Trump.

From anthem debates to touchdowns, magazine covers, and wedding buzz, Kelce remains one of the NFL’s most scrutinized — and talked-about — figures on and off the field.