Travis Kelce Faces Backlash for Continuing to Party After Tragic Super Bowl Parade Shooting

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sidelines during Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce is in a bit of hot water today after photographs showing him continuing to party in the wake of the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade began circulating.

The tight end was spotted outside the Granfalloon Restaurant and Bar in KC, where he was reportedly meeting other members of the team, several hours after at least 22 people were injured—with at least one killed. Photos obtained by TMZ show him stopping to pose for selfies with a couple of nearby police officers, possibly with a bottle of beer in hand, before heading into the eatery.

Fans were mixed in their reactions to the two consecutive Super Bowl winner continuing on with his plans for the day in the aftermath of the tragedy, with one replying to the publication's tweet sharing the article, "Not a good look IMO for him a few hours after a person was killed and others wounded."

Some else suggested he "read the room" while another called it the look "really bad," however, most were quick to jump to his defense.

One user noted that they have "no problem with him supporting first responders who were likely there today."

"A cop who probably had one of his worst days and kelces supposed to tell him no when he asks for a selfie?" someone else asked. "I hope travis made this cops day better."

Another agreed it was a "classy move" for Kelce to "[give] time to [a] fan who is protecting him."

"...i’m sure if [he] had said no to the cop y’all would be mad too," someone else pointed out.

"What happened today was AWFUL and unforgivable! But, to want people to stop living life and letting those shooters win by stealing the joy from a team who worked hard on a goal and accomplished that goal just also isn’t right," someone else wrote thoughtfully. "Humans are complex creatures. We are capable of feeling a variety of emotions in any given time. We all handle things differently. To expect players or anyone to stop life and sit and home and do nothing but reflect on this tragedy, is just cruel, IMO."

Another encouraged anyone upset with the situation to turn to their politicians "for not being able to deal with gun violence in the USA.," rather than the players, "[as if they] could possibly do something about this shooting."

Next: Travis Kelce Speaks Out After Shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Parade