Travis Kelce said a heartfelt goodbye to girlfriend Taylor Swift at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday afternoon as he boarded a plane back to Kansas City.
The couple, both 34, had spent time together at Swift’s Beverly Hills mansion, enjoying a quiet and happy moment before Kelce’s return to his NFL duties.
Sources confirmed that Swift dropped Kelce off at the airport as he prepared to return for the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice, ahead of their Week 5 game.
Swift was unable to accompany him due to her busy work schedule, and her absence marked the second week in a row she didn’t attend one of Kelce’s games.
Critics had previously linked Kelce’s slow start to the season to his relationship with Swift, accusing the pop star’s presence and their offseason celebrations of affecting his on-field performance. However, sources close to Swift and Kelce have pushed back against these claims, labeling them “absurd” and “misogynistic.”
“It’s ridiculous to think that Taylor’s attendance or absence would have an impact on Travis’s performance,” a source told NFL. “He enjoys her support, but doesn’t expect her to be at every game, just like she doesn’t expect him to attend every Eras Tour date. They both have their own careers and lives, and they’re each at the top of their game.”
Swift had previously attended Kelce’s first two games of the season at Arrowhead Stadium, but she was notably absent from the Chiefs’ recent victories over the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite criticism, Kelce silenced doubters with a much-needed strong performance in recent games.
The couple’s relationship continues to draw intense media attention. Last week, rumors circulated about a supposed breakup after a document allegedly leaked online claimed their relationship was a publicity stunt set to end on September 28th. However, sources confirmed that the couple spent that very day together at Swift’s Los Angeles home, living “exactly as they had planned” and doing the opposite of breaking up.
“People need to calm down and move on from these breakup rumors,” the source added. “They also need to stop with the endless speculation about marriage and engagement. One day, it’s a breakup rumor; the next day, it’s about getting married. They’re not even close to either.”
As Swift prepares to kick off the next leg of her Eras Tour on October 18th, she may miss more of Kelce’s games this season. The North American leg of her tour is scheduled to run until December, while Kelce and the Chiefs continue their pursuit of another Super Bowl title. Despite their busy schedules, the couple remains supportive of one another’s careers, whether in person or from afar.