Travis Kelce experienced something unusual at his home stadium on Thursday night. Travis Kelce Gets Loudly Booed. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was attending a college football game between his alma mater Cincinnati and Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium when something unexpected happened.
Travis Kelce was loudly booed at Arrowhead Stadium when he showed his Cincinnati Bearcats hat on the jumbotron during the game against Nebraska. The 35-year-old NFL star pointed to his hat as the crowd’s boos grew louder. This was strange since Kelce usually gets cheers from Chiefs fans at his home stadium.
The game brought together several famous faces, including Taylor Swift and Patrick Mahomes. The neutral site game was dominated by Nebraska fans in the stands, even though it was technically a Cincinnati home game. Nebraska won 20-17.
Key Takeaways – Travis Kelce Gets Loudly Booed
- Travis Kelce got booed at Arrowhead Stadium for supporting Cincinnati against Nebraska with his Bearcats hat
- Taylor Swift and other Chiefs players attended the college game alongside Kelce
- Nebraska fans outnumbered Cincinnati supporters at the neutral site game and won 20-17
Travis Kelce’s Booing Incident at Arrowhead Stadium
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end faced an unusual reception at his home stadium on August 28, 2025, when Nebraska fans loudly booed him during a college football game. The incident occurred when Kelce appeared on the Jumbotron wearing his Cincinnati Bearcats hat while supporting his alma mater against the University of Nebraska.
Timeline of Events During the Cincinnati-Nebraska Game
Travis Kelce attended the Cincinnati-Nebraska game at Arrowhead Stadium to support the University of Cincinnati, where he played from 2009 to 2012. The game served as a neutral site matchup between the two college teams.
During a break in the action, cameras showed Kelce in his suite. When he appeared on the Jumbotron, the crowd immediately began booing loudly.
Kelce responded by pointing to his Cincinnati Bearcats hat as the boos continued. The camera operators quickly cut away from him to show a Cincinnati fan wearing a Bearcats jersey with Kelce’s name on it.
Nebraska fans dominated the stadium attendance despite the neutral site designation. The University of Nebraska sits about three hours from Arrowhead Stadium, while the University of Cincinnati is over eight hours away.
The Nebraska fans ultimately had more to celebrate. Their team won the game 20-17 over the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Fan Reactions at the Stadium and Online
The booing intensified when surrounding Nebraska supporters threw thumbs-down gestures at the Cincinnati fan wearing Kelce’s jersey. Videos of the incident spread quickly on social media platforms.
Yahoo Sports shared the video on Instagram, which drew mixed reactions in the comments section. Some fans criticized the Nebraska supporters’ behavior toward Kelce.
One person wrote: “Seriously nebraska fans show some class.” Another commented: “Nebraska is my home state. The behavior is embarrassing. Sit down.”
However, some Nebraska fans defended their actions. One supporter explained: “We didn’t start booing until he showed his Bearcats hat. Nebraska is Chiefs nation.”
The fan reactions highlighted the complex relationship between college loyalty and professional sports allegiance. Many Nebraska residents support the Kansas City Chiefs as their NFL team.
Kelce’s Response and Public Reaction
Kelce attended the game with his brother Jason Kelce, who also played at Cincinnati from 2007 to 2010. Taylor Swift, his new fiancée, also accompanied him to the game.
Several current Chiefs players were also present, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This made the booing incident particularly notable given Kelce’s status as a Chiefs legend.
The incident drew comparisons to Taylor Swift being booed during Super Bowl LIX in February at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Swift had asked “What’s going on?” when she heard the crowd’s reaction.
Kelce has experienced similar situations before. He previously faced criticism and booing while attending other sporting events with teammates and Swift.
The Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to open their 2025 regular season on September 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
Celebrities and Connections at the Game
The Cincinnati-Nebraska game drew attention from several high-profile attendees beyond Travis Kelce, including family members and NFL connections. The gathering highlighted the strong bonds within the Kelce family and the Kansas City Chiefs organization.
Jason Kelce and Family Support
Jason Kelce attended the game to support his brother Travis during the college football matchup. The Philadelphia Eagles center has been a constant presence at important events throughout Travis’s career.
The Kelce brothers have maintained a close relationship despite playing for different NFL teams. Jason often travels to support Travis at various events, including games and public appearances.
Their family bond extends beyond football. Both brothers have built successful careers as NFL players, with Jason as a center and Travis as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The family support system has been crucial for both players throughout their professional careers. Their parents frequently attend games to cheer on both sons during the NFL season.
Taylor Swift, Patrick Mahomes, and Other Chiefs Attendees
Patrick Mahomes joined Travis Kelce at the college game, continuing their friendship beyond the football field. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has been spotted at several events with his teammate during the offseason.
Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis has brought increased attention to Chiefs games and events. While she wasn’t present at this particular college game, her connection to the team has become widely known.
The Chiefs organization has embraced the celebrity attention surrounding their tight end. Patrick Mahomes received cheers while Travis was booed at a recent NBA playoff game in Dallas.
Other Chiefs players and staff members have been supportive of the media attention. The team’s success on the field has been paired with increased off-field visibility.
Similar Celebrity Moments: Taylor Swift, Ice Spice, and Super Bowl LIX
Celebrity appearances at sporting events often generate mixed reactions from crowds. Taylor Swift has experienced booing at previous games when attending Chiefs matchups.
Ice Spice has also faced similar crowd reactions at high-profile sporting events. These moments highlight how celebrity presence can divide fan bases.
Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome will likely feature numerous celebrity attendees. The game represents the biggest stage where such reactions could occur.
The Los Angeles Chargers and other NFL teams have also dealt with celebrity attention at their games. These situations have become more common as entertainment and sports continue to merge.
Frequently Asked Questions
The booing incident at Arrowhead Stadium raised questions about fan reactions and NFL player experiences. Several key details explain what happened during the Cincinnati-Nebraska game and how similar situations are typically handled.
What led to Travis Kelce being booed at the Cincinnati-Nebraska game?
Travis Kelce was booed when he showed his Cincinnati Bearcats hat during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 28, 2025. The crowd was mostly Nebraska fans since the university is only three hours away from the stadium.
Cincinnati is over eight hours away from Arrowhead Stadium. This meant Nebraska supporters heavily outnumbered Cincinnati fans at the neutral site game.
The booing started after Kelce pointed to his Bearcats hat when shown on the Jumbotron. Nebraska fans continued booing and made thumbs-down gestures toward a Cincinnati fan wearing a Kelce jersey.
How did Travis Kelce react to the booing incident during the game?
Kelce pointed to his Cincinnati Bearcats hat from his suite when the boos started. He appeared calm and acknowledged his support for his alma mater despite the negative crowd reaction.
The camera quickly moved away from Kelce to show other fans in the stadium. He attended the game with his brother Jason Kelce and Taylor Swift to support their former college team.
Has there been a prior incident involving Travis Kelce that may have influenced the crowd’s reaction?
Travis Kelce has been booed at NBA playoff games while attending with Patrick Mahomes. He experienced similar reactions during a Dallas Mavericks game in May 2024.
Kelce was booed at an NBA game in Dallas because many fans did not associate him with Texas. His high profile relationship with Taylor Swift has also increased attention on his public appearances.
What has been the response of the team and NFL to Travis Kelce’s booing?
No official response from the Kansas City Chiefs or NFL has been reported regarding the booing incident. The event occurred at a college football game rather than an NFL event.
Kelce attended as a private citizen supporting his former university. The Chiefs are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on September 5, 2025.
How often do NFL players get booed by opposing teams’ fans, and how is it typically handled?
NFL players commonly face booing from opposing fans during games and public appearances. Most players ignore the reactions or acknowledge them briefly before moving on.
Kelce previously said he got caught off guard by booing at NBA games. Players typically view fan reactions as part of their public profile.
What were the comments from Cincinnati and Nebraska fans following the booing of Travis Kelce?
Some fans criticized the Nebraska supporters’ behavior in social media comments. One person wrote that Nebraska fans should “show some class” during the incident.
A Nebraska fan explained they only started booing when Kelce showed his Bearcats hat. Another Nebraska supporter called the behavior “embarrassing” and told other fans to “sit down.”
One fan noted that Nebraska is “Chiefs nation” and many residents support Kansas City. The mixed reactions showed divided opinions about appropriate fan behavior toward visiting celebrities.
