Travis Kelce has found unflinching support in a rival NFL tight end after being mocked on social media for downing a beer on an NBA date night with Taylor Swift.
Kittle Defends Kelce
San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle, a good friend of Kelce's when they aren't competing against each other during the NFL season, took it upon himself to shoot down a fan who called out Kelce's behavior on Saturday night.
The Kansas City Chiefs man necked a beer in one go, as his fiancée Swift laughed and covered her eyes, during a break in the NBA playoff game between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, Kelce's hometown team.
'Travis Kelce looking and acting like a teenager who just discovered alcohol is the farthest thing from a role model I can imagine,' a fan, Tony Farmer, wrote on X, sharing a clip of the moment in question.
Kittle saw it and replied by mocking the fan for calling out Kelce for enjoying himself on a Saturday night in the offseason.
'Tony you gotta chill out man. Maybe have fun? I don't know,' Kittle wrote back.
Fan's Retort
The exchange sparked a wild reply from Farmer, who called out Kittle for staying quiet about the alleged affair between New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL reporter for The Athletic, Dianna Russini, whom Kittle has criticized before.
'I'll never call anyone out for chugging beers or call it immature as long as I live if I can get an honest 2 sentence reaction from you on the Dianna Russini situation. You've called her reporting out before, I have to assume you have opinions?' Farmer wrote.
'What in the world do those two things have to do with each other?' Kittle responded, along with two crying-with-laughter emojis.
'What planet are you on Tony? Trav is at his team's playoff game and getting the crowd hype. They sell beer at stadiums. Bud Light is an NFL sponsor. It's ok to have a good time responsibly.'
Kittle then mocked Farmer for calling Kelce's antics an advertising ploy by adding: 'This is a big moment for Tony. I'm glad he's capitalizing. Good for him. We are rooting for him. Anyways check us at the sold out crowd in Melbourne this fall.'
Kittle's Injury Comeback
Kittle's Melbourne comment refers to his 49ers team opening their season against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on September 10. It remains to be seen if Kittle himself plays in that game, though, and the smart money suggests he might not.
The 32-year-old tore his Achilles when the 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs, turning awkwardly and going down after taking a six-yard catch in the second quarter.
Recovering from surgery can take up to a year, but there is confidence within the 49ers' organization that Kittle will make a prompt return.
'I mean, knowing George, I wouldn't doubt it (playing in Australia),' quarterback Brock Purdy said last week about his teammate. 'He's done absolutely everything possible in terms of rehab and what you can do to get back, and that's George. Everything he does is 5,000 percent more than the average person. We love him and the energy he brings, obviously. But he's a true captain. He does everything right.'
