During the February 2024 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade shooting, Travis Kelce was unable to personally reassure his partner, Taylor Swift, when she learned about the tragedy.
“Travis Kelce can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, ’cause he’s drunk!”
According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Kelce had been drinking during the parade and was described as “overserved and indisposed” when Swift, who was in Australia on her Eras Tour at the time, called in a panic after being woken by her security team. Because Kelce was not in a condition to speak, he handed his phone to teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who stepped in to help.
Edwards-Helaire told the outlet that he had just assisted a teenager who became separated from his family amid the chaos when he took the call. He informed Swift that Kelce was “ill but unhurt,” helping calm her fears. Later that day, Kansas City Police confirmed that no NFL players were injured, though one person, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, was killed and 22 others were wounded.
Both Swift and Kelce later donated $100,000 each to support victims, and Kelce shared links to emergency relief funds through his New Heights podcast. The incident further highlighted the close bond between Kelce and Edwards-Helaire, whose friendship has extended beyond football and into their personal lives.
