Travis Kelce, with a smile, calls out media for covering baseless theories about referees favoring the Chiefs
A baffled Travis Kelce questioned the media for backing claims that refs favor the Chiefs and the NFL is rigged for them.
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Travis Kelce talks to media from New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX (Screengrab YouTube)
If Travis Kelce had to give any advice to the media, he would implore them to avoid listening to the ‘NFL is rigged’ and the ‘referees are favoring’ the Kansas City Chiefs. The star tight end doesn’t believe in the theory, unlike some other players in the league.
Kelce and the Chiefs arrived in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. He sat down to speak with the media. One of the participants asked the 35-year-old to think of a question for the media.
Without wasting much time, Travis Kelce gave the question that’s on many Chiefs’ fans mind.
Why are you guys leaning into this whole ref [NFL referee] thing? You know what I mean? Why are you guys leaning into it?
Travis Kelce asked
Travis Kelce on if he could ask the media one question:
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 4, 2025
"Why are you guys leaning into this whole ref thing?" pic.twitter.com/pLF8qf5AR6
Arguments for NFL refs favoring the Chiefs have gained traction
The NFL referee’s ‘rigging’ the game to favor the Chiefs did not sprout overnight, but it caught a second wind after the Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game in a controversial fashion.
Former FOX Sports analyst Skip Bayless directly called out the NFL referees for making biased decisions to see Kelce’s girlfriend and pop icon Taylor Swift in the Super Bowl because her presence brings viewership.
The memo will go out, just as it did last week, ‘make sure Taylor Swift makes it to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. Without her, the NFL loses millions and millions of viewers who will tune in, mostly to see what she’s wearing up in that Superdome luxury box. So [Patrick] Mahomes, teetering though he might, must be propped up. Must be protected by the referees, just the way he was Saturday at home against the Texans.
Skip Bayless ranted (H/T: Daily Mail)
Even comedian Bill Burr, while appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, presented the ‘NFL is rigged’ theory subtly.
They [Chiefs & the NFL] got all the stars. They got Taylor Swift… It’s a business. Why are they an entertainment league? Why aren’t they a sports league?
Bill Burr said
Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce joked about media chatter relating to Chiefs receiving favorable calls from the referee
Right after winning another AFC title, Travis made an appearance on his brother Jason Kelce’s The Call It Late Night on ESPN. He was only able to attend the show through FaceTime, and Jason blamed Bills quarterback Josh Allen for it.
“Don’t blame Josh. He played his tail off,” Travis Kelce defended Allen. Jason quickly retorted,“Who do I blame? The officials?”
Travis coyly replied, “I thought it was fair.” Jason came back with, “You did? Sure. Yeah, you and nobody else.”
Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dismissed any theory of NFL referees rigging games to favor the Chiefs. However, at the same time he promised the officiating will be better.
Related: Despite now bleeding green, Saquon Barkley reveals he rooted against Eagles in Super Bowl LVII
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Ishan Misra
(3120 Articles Published)