The Kansas City Chiefs faced a challenging start to their 2025 NFL season not only with a 27-21 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil but also with a significant injury scare involving wide receiver Xavier Worthy. During the game, Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder after an accidental on-field collision with star tight end Travis Kelce, forcing him to leave the match early and leaving fans anxious about his recovery timeline.
In a candid moment on the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce openly admitted fault for the injury. Reflecting on the incident, Kelce stated, “I’ll take the most accountability myself. I wasn’t ready for that first drive, I ran into one of my guys and offed him out of the game. I literally took one of my players out. That’s one of the most frustrating parts and it’s hard to get your juices back going knowing you just hurt a guy.” The collision happened on a third-down pass play while both were running routes over the middle, an unfortunate accident amid the fast pace of professional football[3].
Worthy, who was the Chiefs’ 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a highly touted talent from the University of Texas, had only been targeted once before leaving the field. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Worthy’s status as “day-by-day” following the dislocated shoulder[3]. The injury came at a particularly tough time for the Chiefs’ offense, which was already missing key players Rashee Rice and Jalen Royals.
Beyond the injury and the loss, social media became a hotbed of theories and fan speculation. A notable conspiracy theory linked the incident to pop superstar Taylor Swift, who is Travis Kelce’s fiancée. Earlier in August, Swift expressed her excitement about the Chiefs drafting Xavier Worthy on the “New Heights” podcast, describing how she “ran through the halls” of her home in excitement. This viral moment sparked a bizarre online theory suggesting that Kelce may have subconsciously targeted Worthy due to Swift’s enthusiasm for the rookie.
Some critics and fans speculated Kelce’s focus may have been affected by the heightened media attention surrounding his relationship with Swift and the viral clips of her enthusiasm for the team. Certain voices even accused Kelce of being distracted during the game or insinuated the collision was intentional, though these claims have been widely dismissed as unfounded. NFL analysts have also weighed in, some suggesting that Kelce’s performance in the game could prompt considerations about the future of his career, but nothing specific connecting Swift to the injury has been substantiated[1][2][4].
Despite the setback, Kelce and the Chiefs look ahead to their next matchup, a highly anticipated home opener at Arrowhead Stadium against the Philadelphia Eagles—a rematch of the previous Super Bowl. Kelce managed two receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown in the game despite the rocky start, and the Chiefs hope to regroup both on and off the field for the remainder of the season[3].
This episode sheds light not only on the physical risks inherent in high-level football but also on the intense media scrutiny athletes face, especially when connected to celebrities like Swift. Kelce’s frank admission showcases leadership and accountability during a tough start to the Chiefs’ campaign.