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In the aftermath of the Kansas City Chiefs' crushing 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, star tight end Travis Kelce chose to forgo the team's official afterparty, instead spending a quiet evening at his hotel. The decision marked a notable departure from his previous post-Super Bowl celebrations, particularly last year's victorious festivities in Las Vegas.
While the Chiefs' afterparty proceeded with performances by Quavo, Machine Gun Kelly, and The Chainsmokers, most key players, including Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, retreated to their private accommodations. "Everyone just went back to their rooms or AirBNBs and just stayed in," a source close to the situation told Page Six.
Kelce's spirits appeared to lift later in the evening during a FaceTime call with The Chainsmokers' Drew Taggart and Alex Pall. In the casual exchange, captured on video and shared across social media, Kelce smiled while chatting with the DJ duo, who had performed at the Chiefs' official celebration. The footage also revealed DJ Dom Dolla's presence in Kelce's hotel room, suggesting a more intimate gathering.
In his post-game interview, Kelce candidly assessed the team's performance: "We played bad. We just couldn't find that spark, we couldn't find that momentum." The loss was particularly significant for Kelce, who had previously secured three Super Bowl victories in four appearances.
Licensed relationship therapist Jaime Bronstein noted the supportive presence of Kelce's girlfriend, Taylor Swift, throughout the game. "She was being empathetic toward him, which is so powerful," Bronstein observed. Swift, who watched from a private suite at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome, appeared visibly concerned as the game's outcome became clear.
The defeat came at a challenging moment for both Kelce and Swift, following her Grammy snub the previous weekend. However, sources suggest these setbacks may ultimately strengthen their relationship, which began in summer 2023. Swift departed Louisiana on Monday, while Kelce processes the loss with characteristic resilience.
The subdued evening marked a stark contrast to Kelce's previous Super Bowl celebrations, particularly the 2024 victory party at Las Vegas's Zouk nightclub, where he famously danced to Swift's "You Belong with Me." Despite the disappointing outcome, fans expressed relief at seeing Kelce maintain his composure, with one X user commenting, "This honestly means everything just seeing him smile."
As the Chiefs process this significant defeat, Kelce's choice of a quiet evening with close friends over a public celebration reflects both the weight of the loss and his professional maturity in handling setbacks.
