Travis Kelce Sparks Controversy With National Anthem Behavior

The recent controversial moment comes years after the footballer took a knee during a different game in 2017, showing solidarity for the movement Colin Kaepernick sparked.

On October 27, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

During the national anthem, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce was spotted moving around, which rubbed many online viewers the wrong way, as netizens felt the NFL star was being disrespectful.

Netizen comment about Travis Kelce, posted on October 29, 2025. | Source: TikTok/@espn

As the anthem played across a packed venue, cameras captured a striking contrast between two of Kansas City's most prominent players. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes stood tall and composed, his gaze fixed ahead, as he gently swayed side to side with solemnity. The scene then shifted to Kelce, whose demeanor was markedly different.

With one hand placed over his chest, the tight end bounced on his feet with visible energy, shifting his weight rapidly from one foot to the other.

Travis Kelce jumping up and down during the national anthem before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders, posted on October 28, 2025. | Source: TikTok/@espn

At one point, he glanced down and began tapping his toes in quick succession, moving with the kind of fervor more typical of pre-game warmups than a national tribute. The side-by-side comparison, spotlighted in an ESPN TikTok video, quickly sparked a flurry of impassioned responses online.

Many viewers expressed disapproval of Kelce's animated movements during the anthem. One person commented, "Kelce needs to be more respectful," while another echoed the sentiment, "Disrespect to the fullest degree."

Travis Kelce looks on during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders in Kansas City, Missouri on October 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

A third critic opined, "Kelce should of [sic] been more respectful." Others pointed to his past as further context for their frustration. "DON'T FORGET, A FEW YEARS AGO KELCE WAS KNEELING DOWN!!!" one commenter exclaimed. "But there was a time when he was kneeling during the anthem, let's not forget that," reiterated another.

However, not everyone agreed with the backlash. Some supporters came to Kelce's defense, noting that his actions appeared more practical than political. "At least he had his hand over his heart," one person observed.

Travis Kelce standing amid fellow Kansas City Chiefs players during the national anthem. | Source: TikTok/@espn

Defending his pre-game behavior, another argued, "He is getting pump up for the game...i guess you all don't understand football [sic]." "He's warming up. Nothing wrong with that," added someone else, brushing off the criticism entirely.

While the online conversation churned over Kelce's pre-game demeanor, what unfolded once the game kicked off gave fans another reason to talk — for entirely different reasons. It was a landmark night for the Kansas City Chiefs and a personal high for Kelce, whose on-field performance more than delivered.

Travis Kelce running during the game. | Source: Getty Images

With fiancée Taylor Swift cheering from the stands for a third consecutive game, the veteran tight end turned in his most impressive outing of the season.

Kelce's third-quarter touchdown — his 83rd career score — tied him with former Chiefs star Priest Holmes for the most total touchdowns in franchise history. He ended the game with six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, playing a pivotal role in the Chiefs' commanding 28–7 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Travis Kelce running with a football during the Kansas City Chiefs' face-off against the Washington Commanders. | Source: Getty Images

The win marked Kansas City's third in a row, a welcome turnaround after a rocky 0–2 start to the season. Now sitting at 5–3, the Chiefs are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers for second place in the AFC West, just one game behind the division-leading Denver Broncos.

Mahomes also had a strong showing, completing 25 of 34 passes for 299 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions — while adding 30 rushing yards on four carries.

Some players of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrating as players from the Washington Commanders look on. | Source: Getty Images

Chiefs Receiver Rashee Rice, returning from a six-game suspension, was another standout, catching all nine of his targets for 93 yards and a score.

On the other side of the field, the Commanders — still without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels — struggled to find rhythm under backup Marcus Mariota. The Chiefs' defense capitalized, forcing multiple turnovers and holding Washington to just one score.

With the game firmly in hand, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense sealed the win when linebacker Jack Cochrane snagged his first career interception in the final seconds, allowing the offense to kneel and close out the night in victory formation.

For longtime followers of Kelce's career, the recent uproar around his national anthem behavior at this game carried echoes of a different kind of statement he made years ago — one that also drew widespread attention.

Travis Kelce looks on during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in Carson, California on September 24, 2017. | Source: Getty Images

In 2017, during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelce took a knee during the national anthem, becoming the most prominent white NFL player at the time to join the growing protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

Although he had not publicly confirmed whether he would participate ahead of the game, his X (formerly Twitter) account had already begun signaling support for fellow players and the broader message of the movement, which was initially sparked by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

As dozens of players across the league knelt that Sunday, Kelce's action stood out — not just for its timing, but for what it represented.

A year after Kaepernick's solitary gesture began shifting conversations nationwide, many wondered how the public would respond if a white star joined the cause. With Kelce's quiet but visible kneel, that hypothetical became reality.

Travis Kelce during the Los Angeles Charges vs the Kansas City Chiefs game in 2017. | Source: Getty Images

From sideline movements that stirred controversy to record-breaking plays that drew cheers, Kelce's presence on the field continues to spark conversation — both for his performance and the statements, intentional or not, that surround it.

As fans debate what respect and readiness look like during moments of national significance, Travis Kelce remains a figure who straddles both sport and symbolism — a reminder that, in today's NFL, the spotlight rarely dims when the anthem ends and the game begins.