NFL fans have questioned if Travis Kelce is feeling too complacent about tomorrow’s Super Bowl after he broke his own rules to head out on a double date with Taylor Swift and the Mahomes’.
Last year before the big game in Las Vegas, Kelce shared his strong views on whether or not a player should head out and about in the build-up to the season finale.
Speaking to millions of listeners on his New Heights podcast, the Chiefs star told his brother Jason: ‘We’ve got one week, we do what we need to do then we can party in Vegas for the rest of our lives.’
But one year on Kelce has been spotted out for dinner with his girlfriend Swift, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany – less than 48 hours before the biggest game of his career.
Social media was flooded with opinions on the surprise outing in New Orleans, with one fan labeling Kelce ‘unfocused’.
Another added: ‘Bad look. Kelce supposed to be locked in and watching film. I’m sure that outing could have waited.’
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were swarmed by fans as they left New Orleans’ Lilette restaurant
The pair were flanked by security as they left the popular eatery on Friday night
Kelce waved to fans, but some have questioned his motivation ahead of the Super Bowl
A third person said: ‘Normally the players do not go out the week before they are playing in the Super Bowl because of how seriously they take the game, or so I’m told. Even saw an old clip of that Kelce guy saying that.’
Pictures emerged late on Friday night of the superstar quartet leaving Lilette, a popular restaurant on New Orleans’ Magazine Street.
After word got out of their visit, hundreds of fans had gathered outside, creating a raucous atmosphere as the players and their other halves left to get into cars after their meal.
The images were also the first of Taylor Swift since she touched down in New Orleans for the big game. It comes a year after she endured a mad dash from her Eras Tour show in Tokyo to Las Vegas on the day of the game.
This year it appears she is able to take in more of the big game buildup, spending a few days in the city before she is joined by a host of celebrity friends in the Superdome’s VIP suites.
On Friday night, the pop superstar wore a black dress with matching Larroude Eleonor boots, carrying a bag over her right shoulder.
Patrick and Brittany Mahomes were also in attendance for a New Orleans double date
Last year in Las Vegas, Kelce was strong in his opinion that players should focus pre-game
Swift stunned in a black dress as she joined her man less than 48 hours before the Super Bowl
Friday night’s night out in NOLA comes just days after reports claimed Swift is ‘worried’ that her presence in the city could deflect from Kelce and the Chiefs’ Super Bowl three-peat aims.
According to The Sun, Swift wants the game – and the build-up to it – to be all about Kelce and his team, especially if they make history.
‘Taylor doesn’t want to be the center of attention,’ a source was quoted as saying. ‘She just wants to support Travis and help him focus on the game.
‘She wants Travis to enjoy his Super Bowl week experience and be at 110% for Sunday, as she is dreaming about him making Super Bowl history and reaching another dream of his, winning another Super Bowl and making a three-peat.’
It is unclear whether Swift – and indeed Brittany Mahomes – will see their men again before Sunday, with the players all staying together in a hotel.
The Chiefs team are staying at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street, right in the heart of the city and just one mile away from the 83,000-seater Superdome where Sunday’s game will take place.
The foursome are no strangers to a double date after previously heading to the US Open in NYC
Kelce was at practice on Thursday, but on Friday night took some time out for dinner with Swift
Swift is a regular guest in the VIP suites at the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City
At Friday night’s meal, a beaming Swift looked in fine spirits as she made her way out of the venue in a black dress and matching boots alongside Kelce, despite her die-hard legion of fans being left outraged by his glowing remarks about Trump this week.
The president, who controversially said he ‘hates’ Taylor in September amid her support for his election rival Kamala Harris, will be at the Superdome for the game.
And when asked for his thoughts on Trump attending Sunday’s game, Kelce gushed to reporters that it will be an ‘honor’ to play in front of him despite his bad blood with Swift.
‘That’s awesome. It’s a great honor,’ the Chiefs tight end responded to reporters after being told Trump will be there for the big game.
‘I think you know, no matter who the president is, I know I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life, you know, and having the president there — it’s the best country in the world — and that’s pretty cool.’
Swift’s smiling appearance comes amid controversy over Kelce’s quotes about Donald Trump
The president controversially declared he ‘hates’ Swift during his election campaign last year
The Chiefs duo said they are looking forward to playing in front of Trump at the Super Bowl
Mahomes, too, admitted he was excited by the prospect of playing in front of the first ever sitting president at a Super Bowl this weekend.
‘It’s always cool to be able to play in front of a sitting president, someone that is in the top position in our country,’ the quarterback said. ‘I didn’t see that clip but it’s cool to hear that he’s seen me play football and respects the game that I play.’
Travis and Patrick’s positive words about the 78-year-old angered Swifties on social media given his long-running feud with Taylor, who infamously accused him of promoting ‘white supremacy’ and ‘racism’ during his previous reign as president.
‘After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence?’ the songstress wrote on Twitter (X) at the time.
