Thanksgiving on the Field: Kelce's NFL First
In a career first, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs spent his Thanksgiving preparing for a crucial NFL showdown rather than at a family dinner. The star tight end arrived at AT&T Stadium on Thursday afternoon, focused on the Kansas City Chiefs' road game against the Dallas Cowboys. This marks the first time in his 13-year professional career that Kelce has played on the national holiday.
A Stylish Arrival and a Missing Fiancée
Kelce cut a sharp figure upon arrival, donning a double-breasted black blazer with a white turtle neck. He completed the look with blacked-out Yves Saint-Laurent sunglasses and three gold chains. However, his fashionable entrance was shadowed by the notable absence of his fiancée, Taylor Swift. The development is a blow to the singer, who is expected to enjoy her own Thanksgiving celebrations without her NFL beau as he pursues a vital victory for his team.
It remains highly uncertain whether Swift will make a surprise appearance at the Cowboys' stadium. The pop megastar has not attended a Chiefs away game since their playoff win at the Baltimore Ravens in January 2024. Her appearances this season have been exclusively at Arrowhead Stadium, where she has made discreet entrances due to security concerns. The last time she watched Kelce play away from their home turf was at last season's Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Playoff Pressure and a Pre-Game Reunion
The Thanksgiving clash carries significant weight for the Chiefs, who are in a tight playoff hunt. Last weekend's 23-20 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts improved their record to 6-5, snapping a two-game losing streak and keeping their postseason hopes alive. In that victory, Kelce was instrumental, catching four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Before heading to Dallas, Kelce and Swift hosted a special gathering with family and friends. The couple joined his uncle, Don, and a group of Don's college friends from Purdue University—whom Swift affectionately dubbed the 'Purdudes'—for a post-game meal at 1587 Prime Steakhouse. The restaurant is a new collaboration between Kelce and his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Swift's father, Scott, was also in attendance, and a group photo from the dinner was later shared on social media.
Despite the separation on the holiday, Kelce expressed his enthusiasm for playing on Thanksgiving. "I like playing on holidays, man. It's fun," he said. "I know everybody's sitting down getting all the food they can possibly get, and enjoying the family time. There's nothing that goes better than football and Thanksgiving, baby." His focus is now squarely on defeating the Cowboys, who are riding high after a superb victory over the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
