Travis Kelce fires back at critics

Travis Kelce has always been one to embrace his Cleveland roots. So it was hardly a surprise when he attended Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and his beloved Cleveland Guardians on Monday night (yes, Taylor Swift was there too).

What was a surprise — at least to many Cleveland fans — is that the All-Pro tight end didn’t do much to display his Northeast Ohio pride. Rather, Kelce attended the postseason game at Yankee Stadium dressed rather incognito, wearing a black hat with white writing on it and a white t-shirt and black jacket.

While Kelce’s wardrobe choice may not have meant much to most, it sent shockwaves through Cleveland — at least on social media — with many disappointed that the Cleveland Heights native didn’t use the opportunity to display his hometown pride. And those fans were quick to let the Kansas City Chiefs star hear it after he took to social media to celebrate the Guardians’ comeback victory in Game 3 on Thursday night.

While Kelce is no stranger to criticism, he isn’t often one to bite back. But the idea that he isn’t a true Cleveland sports fan clearly struck a nerve, prompting him to reply.

“I’ve been a cleveland sports fan my entire life… Make it back to countless amount of games over the years both Guards and Cavs just to enjoy these memories with my friends and family, WIN OR LOSE!!!” Kelce wrote. “And I don’t wear Cleveland gear one time and all of a sudden I’m not a real fan?! Ask anybody that was in or around that suite on game 1 who I was cheering for, they’ll let you know I was there for the
@CleGuardians”

To Kelce’s credit, he has been a regular at Cleveland sporting events in recent years and even threw out the ceremonial first pitch at last season’s Guardians home opener. Earlier this year, he and his brother, Jason, received their own bobblehead night at a Cavs game , which proved to be one of the team’s most memorable wins of the year.

Yet despite Kelce’s credentials, that didn’t stop Cleveland fans from being sensitive to what they viewed as a snub. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old’s response included some sensitivity of its own, perhaps proving that he is a true Cleveland fan after all.

[ Travis Kelce on X ]

The post Travis Kelce defends his Cleveland fandom after not wearing Guardians gear appeared first on Awful Announcing .