Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently appeared as the cover star for the September edition of GQ magazine. His shirtless photos from the shoot circulated widely, sparking significant attention on social media. In response, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown used a derogatory slur directed at Kelce in a quote reposted on X, intensifying an ongoing feud between the two.
Brown’s inflammatory comment was posted soon after the Pop Crave account shared a photo from Kelce’s GQ session. This incident adds to a series of hostile remarks Brown has made toward Kelce, including one earlier this year targeting both Kelce and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
Hostile exchanges between Antonio Brown and Travis Kelce escalate on social media
The feud between Brown and Kelce has been public and tense. Brown’s recent offensive slur aimed at Kelce read,
“Fa***t of the Year nominee…” —Antonio Brown, Former NFL Wide Receiver
Earlier in 2024, Brown also took a shot at Kelce’s reputation with this comment about Kelce and Swift:
“Travis Kelce needs some black p****. Bro washed.” —Antonio Brown, Former NFL Wide Receiver
Despite Brown’s provocations, Kelce maintained a strong performance throughout the 2024 NFL season. He led the Chiefs in both receiving yards and receptions during the regular season and contributed to the team’s run to Super Bowl LIX, where they were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles. While teammate Xavier Worthy led the postseason receiving stats, Kelce remained a key player for Kansas City.
Antonio Brown, on the other hand, has been absent from the NFL since 2021. His last on-field incident came in January 2022, when he abruptly left a game against the New York Jets after removing his jersey and pads.
Travis Kelce’s decision to continue playing after Super Bowl defeat
Following the Chiefs’ heavy loss in the 2025 Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, rumors swirled about Kelce possibly retiring from professional football. The Eagles, led by coach Nick Sirianni, dominated the game to claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy, leaving the Chiefs searching for answers.
Despite speculation, Kelce committed to playing the 2025 season, signaling his intent to possibly conclude his NFL career on his own terms. As a ten-time Pro Bowler and potential future Hall of Famer, Kelce remains a vital weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense.
Kelce discussed his mindset toward prolonging his career in a recent interview reported by Rodney Knuppel of Athlon Sports, saying,
“I still feel like I can do it, and I wanted to give myself that full focus. When I looked back at the year and how I prepared, it is not like I was doing it wrong, but I want to give it everything.” —Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs Tight End
“When you get older, you start to figure things out differently,” Kelce added. “Your body does not respond like it used to. You have to focus more on preparation and recovery. During the week, you need a plan to get back to 100%. Thinking about all that, I just did not want to leave anything on the table.” —Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs Tight End
Kelce and the Chiefs opened the 2025 regular season facing the Los Angeles Chargers, aiming to replicate their success and make another strong playoff push. Fans may witness the final chapter of Kelce’s distinguished career, potentially ending with a farewell appearance at Levi’s Stadium in February 2026.
The ongoing Travis Kelce GQ photoshoot controversy highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding one of the NFL’s top stars, intersecting both on-field achievements and off-field conflicts. How the rivalry with Antonio Brown develops, coupled with Kelce’s performance this season, will likely shape the narrative around his twilight years in professional football.