In a candid television interview, a well-known Hollywood actor has confessed to calling American football star Travis Kelce a "d***" to his face, with the confrontation stemming from a high-stakes NFL playoff game.
The On-Set Confrontation Explained
Josh Charles, famed for roles in 'Dead Poets Society' and 'The Good Wife', set the record straight during an appearance on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. He addressed previous claims by his co-star Ethan Hawke that he had a "fight" with Kelce while filming Taylor Swift's 2024 'Fortnight' music video. Charles clarified it was not a physical altercation but a frank conversation.
The video, which also featured Ethan Hawke and went on to win a 2024 MTV Video Music Award, was where the unlikely meeting between the actor and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end took place. Charles, a native of Baltimore and avid Ravens fan, used the opportunity to confront Kelce about his conduct during the 2023 AFC Championship game.
Roots of the Rivalry: A Pregame Incident
The tension originated from the January 2024 championship clash where the Chiefs faced the Ravens. Kelce engaged in a notably brash pre-game routine, which involved disrupting the warm-up of Ravens kicker Justin Tucker by throwing his helmet and kicking his tee away. The Chiefs narrowly won the game 17-10, advancing to and eventually winning their second consecutive Super Bowl.
"I've always liked Travis Kelce. I just thought he was so cool," Charles told Fallon. "But that year they beat us in the AFC Championship game... he was a real jerk that year. So I kind of fell off of him." This sentiment led to the on-set moment where Charles directly addressed the NFL star.
Kelce's Surprising Response and Mutual Respect
Charles recounted his direct approach: "When I met him, I said 'You know I always liked you and this year you were kind of a d***.'" A shocked Jimmy Fallon questioned the actor's boldness, given Kelce's reputation for being lovable.
According to Charles, Kelce laughed at the remark and agreed, explaining his mindset. "He's like, 'I knew I had to come in with some swagger,' and he did," Charles recalled. Kelce confided that Kansas City was "most worried about that game" and his actions were a deliberate tactic to get in the Ravens' heads, which ultimately worked.
Despite the initial confrontation, Charles admitted Kelce was "actually great" and they bonded over talking football. "Such a good dude. I really liked him a lot," the actor concluded. However, he maintained a friendly sporting rivalry, stating that when it comes to future on-field encounters, "I'll root against him."
