‘This Is Pathetic’ — Travis Kelce, Chiefs Players Face Backlash From Fans After Controversial Support of Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a Sunday to forget, and it started long before the first whistle. Although his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 14 was a struggle, his pre-game wardrobe choice truly ignited a firestorm among NFL fans, turning a tough loss into a public relations nightmare.

Why Were NFL Fans Angry With Travis Kelce on Sunday?

Kelce’s day at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium was far from his best. He bobbled a critical pass that tipped into the hands of Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba, leading to a turnover. With just six receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown, his quiet performance contributed to the Chiefs’ loss, dropping them to an 0-2 start for the 2025 season.

But the real drama unfolded before the game even began. While warming up, Kelce wore a “Free 4” T-shirt, a message of support for his teammate, Rashee Rice. Rice was suspended for the first six games of the season for his involvement in a high-speed car crash in March 2024 that nearly killed several people.

Kelce, already under a microscope for his play and high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, said that fans were not ready to accept.

TRENDING: #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce wore a “FREE 4” shirt to today’s game… after his teammate Rashee Rice was suspended.

Rice was suspended for the first six games of the season due to his involvement in a high-speed car crash in March 2024 that nearly resulted in tragedy. pic.twitter.com/vkZIO7Bpvt
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 15, 2025

The reaction on social media was immediate and harsh. One fan simply posted a three-word assessment of Kelce’s shirt: “This is pathetic”. Another fan suggested karma was at play, writing, “Karma they are 0-2.”

Karma they are 0-2.

— Tracy Cowley (@tcgoldrush) September 15, 2025

The sentiment that the Chiefs were becoming villains was a common theme. One user, who made their allegiance clear, posted, “Never been easier to root against the Chiefs”. Another fan wrote, “Travis Kelce has turned into a” followed by a clown emoji. For some, the shirts were repellent. As one person said, “Terrible look. This is why they are the least liked team in the league.”

The situation drew comparisons to other player suspensions, with one fan referencing former NFL player Josh Gordon’s suspension for marijuana use, questioning the equivalency. “Treating a felon like he’s Josh Gordon getting busted for weed lmao,” he wrote, highlighting the perceived disparity in the severity of the offenses.

Treating a felon like he’s Josh Gordon getting busted for weed lmao https://t.co/5r0RuzS9Vz

— Kenjac (@JackKennedy) September 14, 2025

Overall, the gesture was seen as a major misstep. “That’s an awful, awful look for the Chiefs,” one person stated. Another user echoed the feeling, writing, “As if the Chiefs couldn’t be any more unlikable of a team”.

How Did Rashee Rice’s Wreck Influence the Backlash?

For many fans, the support for Rice was particularly galling given the details of his incident. The specifics of the wreck provided the fuel for the outrage. As one user wrote on X, “The person who drove 119 mph, who could have killed people, and then ran away from the scene …. yeah not a good look”.

Another account offered an even deeper perspective on the perceived selfishness of Rice’s actions and the team’s support.

“Got in a car crash that could’ve killed people…and rather than checking to see if anyone was okay…he fled the scene,” the post reads. “Way to go out of your way to support someone that has shown that he thinks his life and well being is worth more than anyone else’s.”

Got in a car crash that could’ve killed people…and rather than checking to see if anyone was okay…he fled the scene.
Way to go out of your way to support someone that has shown that he thinks his life and well being is worth more than anyone else’s. https://t.co/Avp9wWXbz8

— Matt Mamba (@MattMamba24) September 15, 2025

Fans emphasized that Rice was fortunate the outcome wasn’t worse. “Rice caused multiple injuries while racing a friend at >100 mph,” a fan wrote. “He’s lucky he didn’t kill anyone with his recklessness.”

The controversy also involved Kelce’s relationship with Swift, with one fan calling on Swift’s fanbase to take notice. “I want to see Taylor Swift fans acknowledge that her man is wearing a shirt to free a dude who fled from a car wreck and as recompense did not even face jail time, just a suspension.”

The Chiefs are scheduled for “Sunday Night Football” next week against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. If Kelce and his teammates decide to wear the T-shirts again before a national audience, the backlash could grow even louder. The situation is worth watching this week.