Travis Kelce defends ‘jerky’ move during public Taylor Swift date that sparked backlash

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce took a leaf out of Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s book last weekend to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the New York Knicks at the Rocket Arena.

Despite 36-year-old Kelce’s hometown team falling to a 121-108 defeat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the NFL tight end appeared to be having fun beside his bride-to-be, Swift, 36.

The singer was head-to-toe in Stella McCartney, wearing a patchwork denim jacket, chain-detail tank top, and blue jeans, with some heeled sandals and a Dior Cigale bag.

Meanwhile, the NFL tight end rocked up in a double denim ensemble along with his Cleveland Cavaliers merch.

The pair, who became engaged in August 2025, appeared on the jumbotron at one point, with Kelce taking the spotlight as he gulped down a full can of what appeared to be beer.

ESPN has shared a clip of the viral moment on X, which shows the ‘So Highschool’ hitmaker covering her face with her hands while her partner whooped, hollered, and ragged his cap around in front of fellow Cavs fans.

Kelce has been called out online for the so-called ‘jerky’ move, with one X user typing: “Travis Kelce looking and acting like a teenager who just discovered alcohol is the farthest thing from a role model I can imagine.”

George Kittle, who recently went viral for his beer-chugging at WrestleMania 42, replied to the former, claiming that Kelce was ‘at his team's playoff game and getting the crowd hype’.

Another critic commented: “Travis Kelce is a jerk for posing at the NBA game with his girlfriend chugging a beer. NOT a ROLE MODEL as most jocks are not!!!”

Travis Kelce living on the jumbotron 🍻

Wait for Taylor's reaction 😂 pic.twitter.com/Um9R8V5X3k

— ESPN (@espn) May 24, 2026

Others have defended the sportsman, including one X user who wrote: “Clutch your pearls over beer and tsk tsk about what some other dude wears for clothes. Judgmental weirdos unite.”

Kelce himself has weighed in on the drama, remarking to his brother, Jason Kelce, 38, that he believed the beer chug was a ‘classy’ move.

“I didn't spill one drop,” he claimed on the New Heights podcast. “I didn't crush the can. I'm on the hardwood floor at an NBA game. It could have got messy. It was a smooth, classy chug to get the people going.”

The former Philadelphia Eagles star agreed with his younger sibling, jokingly calling him ‘classless’, reminding him that he was supposed to be a ‘role model’.

“You cannot be out there chugging beers in public,” he laughed.

While reviewing the footage, Jason added: “It was an elegant chug. It wasn't too much energy. It was just the right amount and it was smooth. Just like everything you do.

“You are a smooth athlete. Not even touching the lips, no form of panic. You didn't even panic when the foam started coming out. You knew there was a chance it was gonna get a little a little messy. Pinkie was up!”

Kelce used the podcast to discuss his pride at being able to bring Swift to Ohio, claiming that showing her his ‘roots’ was ‘always’ something that he loved doing.

Fans who viewed images and videos of Kelce (6ft5) and Swift (5ft10) at the Cavs game were also quick to comment on an ‘uncomfortable’ date detail.

The pair appeared to be unable to sit comfortably with their legs awkwardly folded up below them.

One X user penned: “LeBron fan for more than 1½ a decade, and I think Cavs courtside seats are perfectly fine until Taylor Swift sat on it.

“Now I... the word needs to know why that d*mn chair looks so low and uncomfortable!?”

“They’re both so tall, those chairs don’t look big enough haha,” someone else replied, as another commented: “They’re fighting for their lives on these low chairs.”