The Kansas City Chiefs faced an unexpected situation on Christmas Day when their staff intervened to prevent Prime Video cameras from trailing tight end Travis Kelce after the team”s loss to the Denver Broncos. During the live broadcast on December 25, viewers saw Kelce engaging with fans at Arrowhead Stadium, but the atmosphere shifted as he made his way back to the locker room.
A staff member, identifiable by his Chiefs sweatshirt, was overheard advising the camera crew to stop following Kelce. He summoned another staff member, dressed in a suit, who attempted to obstruct the cameras from entering the hallway. This left both the broadcasters and viewers puzzled, with one commentator noting they wouldn”t allow cameras down the hallway for unspecified reasons. Despite the confusion, Kelce, who is 36 years old, was seen walking away from the cameras, seemingly prepared to exit the scene.
This marked Kelce”s final home game of the NFL season, with his fiancée, Taylor Swift, present in the stands to support him. The Chiefs ultimately fell to the Broncos with a score of 20-13. Speculation has arisen among fans regarding whether this game was Kelce”s last at Arrowhead Stadium. However, the star tight end has not indicated any immediate plans for retirement and emphasized that discussions about his future would remain private for now.
“I think I”d rather just keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now,” Kelce stated during a press conference earlier in December. “All the conversations that I have with the team and everything moving forward will be with them.”
The incident with the cameraman occurred shortly after Kelce faced criticism from sports commentators, including ESPN”s Chris Russo. This backlash stemmed from Kelce”s decision not to address the media following the Chiefs” elimination from the NFL playoffs after a defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14. Additionally, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during that game, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
“Sorry, guys, it”s not the time,” Kelce remarked to reporters post-game, indicating he would speak later in the week.
Russo expressed his disappointment during an episode of ESPN”s “First Take,” questioning Kelce”s choice to avoid media interaction after such a significant loss. “You can”t give them three words?” Russo stated, emphasizing the dedication of the reporters who consistently cover the team. He concluded that it was important for Kelce to acknowledge the media and fans after such a challenging game.
This incident highlights the growing scrutiny and expectations surrounding athletes in the spotlight, especially during challenging times in their careers.
