Travis Kelce Faces Intense Backlash After Chiefs' Victory – And Patrick Mahomes' Actions Make the Entire NFL Understand Why He Is the Heart of Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri – October, 2025

After the Kansas City Chiefs' easy 28-7 victory over the Washington Commanders, the night at Arrowhead was supposed to be a complete celebration. But just hours after the final whistle, social media erupted over a small detail — Travis Kelce was heavily criticized by a portion of fans for “disrespecting” the national anthem while singing it before the game.

In a viral video from ESPN, Patrick Mahomes is seen standing solemnly with his hand over his heart, while Kelce lightly sways and taps his foot to the melody of the Star-Spangled Banner. That seemingly harmless action angered many picky fans, calling it “disrespecting the national anthem” and “damaging the image of a professional player.” Thousands of comments flooded Kelce's personal page – some even demanding he “apologize publicly for not standing still like every other player.”

Faced with the wave of criticism, Travis Kelce spoke up, admitting he “was a bit nervous and trying to stay warm so he couldn't stand completely still,” while sending an apology to the fans. He wrote: “I always respect the national anthem and this country. I was just a little tense before the game and didn't realize my actions could cause misunderstanding. I apologize if I made anyone feel uncomfortable.”

However, that explanation was still not enough to soothe the harsh comments. Social media continued to explode with debate, and that was when Patrick Mahomes — the captain, the close friend — stepped up to defend his teammate.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Mahomes said in a calm but emotional voice: “I know Travis. No one on this team respects the flag and this game more than he does. We see him fight every day, both on and off the field. Sometimes, pre-game emotions make you act differently, but that doesn't define who Travis is.”

Those words left the entire press room silent. Chiefs fans on social media unanimously reshared the clip, with hashtags #WeStandWithKelce and #ChiefsFamilyForever.

Amid that chaotic wave, Chiefs Nation witnessed something more important than anything — camaraderie, trust, and the culture of unity that has made Kansas City a great collective. And with the way Patrick Mahomes defended his teammate, fans probably understand clearly why he is called the icon of Chiefs Kingdom.