Former NFL player Jason Kelce is setting the record straight after rumors surfaced claiming he fell asleep during Taylor Swift’s Miami Eras Tour show. These claims began swirling online when a photo of Jason, with his eyes closed, was posted by his friend Beau Allen, causing fans to question whether the retired Philadelphia Eagles star had actually dozed off during the pop sensation’s concert.
The concert was a special occasion for Jason and his family, marking the first time his mother Donna Kelce and his two daughters—Wyatt, age 4, and Elliotte, age 3—attended one of Swift’s legendary performances. Despite what should have been a fun, memorable evening for the Kelce clan, the narrative quickly shifted when the photo started spreading online.
The Viral Photo that Sparked the Rumors
The viral moment began when Jason’s longtime pal and fellow NFL alum Beau Allen shared a photo of Jason seated during the Miami show, eyes closed, giving the impression that he was possibly asleep. Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, Swifties (Taylor Swift’s fan base), and the broader sports world took to social media to discuss the moment, speculating if the father of two had actually nodded off mid-concert.
But Jason wasn’t about to let the story grow any further. On October 23, during an episode of his popular podcast New Heights, which he co-hosts with his younger brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Jason directly addressed the circulating rumors.
“I’m sitting there, and I’m just in the moment, tapping my thigh, feeling the music,” Jason began, describing his state of mind during the concert. “All of a sudden, I get on Twitter, and I see this f****** picture of me with my eyes closed, and the rumor mill starts turning. People are saying, ‘Jason Kelce is falling asleep at a Taylor Swift concert!’ I’m like, dude, what the f***? I wasn’t even sleeping!”
Jason Proves He Wasn’t Sleeping
Jason explained that he wasn’t asleep at all—he was simply sitting down, taking a break after dancing with his younger daughter, Elliotte. After some energetic moves with his little one, Elliotte returned to her mother, Kylie Kelce, and Jason decided to sit down to catch his breath. It was then, with the light mist of rain falling over the crowd, that Jason closed his eyes to fully appreciate the music and atmosphere.
“There’s evidence in the picture that I wasn’t sleeping,” Jason insisted, offering proof that his hand was hovering above his knee in the photo. “You can’t sleep with your hand hovering above your knee! It’s impossible!” Jason laughed, calling the online speculation “ridiculous” but understanding how the visual might have confused people.
His brother Travis, known not only for his skills on the field but also for his humorous and supportive commentary, chimed in. “You were just feeling the groove, huh? Vibing to the music?” Travis teased, reminding listeners that Jason, who once played in a jazz band, often closes his eyes when he’s really feeling a song.
Dancing Dad: A Fun Night with His Daughter
During the podcast, Jason shared more details about the moment the photo was taken, elaborating on the special bond he had with his daughter Elliotte during the show. As a dad of two young girls, Jason is used to keeping up with their energy, but he admitted that dancing with Elliotte had worn him out.
“Elliotte wanted to dance, so I got up, and we danced for a bit,” Jason said, recounting the memory with a smile. “She’s a ball of energy, and after a few songs, she ran back to her mom. I just needed a break and sat down, but I was still listening. The rain was coming down, and I was in the zone.”
He went on to explain that the rain added a magical layer to the concert experience. As Taylor Swift performed some of her biggest hits, Jason found himself swept up in the emotion of the music and the moment, particularly during Swift’s performance of songs from her Reputation album, which had the crowd roaring.
“I wasn’t asleep—I was just feeling the music with my eyes closed. There’s a big difference,” Jason clarified once again.
Travis Kelce’s FOMO and Praise for Taylor Swift
As Jason shared his account of the Miami show, Travis Kelce, who is currently busy with the NFL season as the Kansas City Chiefs continue their 2024 campaign, expressed his own feelings about missing the event.
“I had all the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out),” Travis admitted on the podcast. “The whole family was there. You were there with mom, with the kids, and some of our close friends. And here I am, stuck in Kansas City in the middle of the season. I’m just thinking, ‘Man, I wish I was there.’”
Travis, who has been romantically linked to Taylor Swift, shared his admiration for Swift’s performance, especially since Jason and their family were in attendance. “Shoutout to Tay Tay for powering through a few rain shows there,” Travis said, referring to the rain-soaked concert.
Jason’s Praise for Taylor’s Miami Performance
Jason, however, was determined to make the most of his experience and took the opportunity to praise Swift’s performance. He noted that the Miami concert was a standout, in part due to the rainy weather, which gave the show an electric energy.
“This Miami show was on another level,” Jason said, clearly still buzzing from the experience. “I don’t know if it was because we’re back in the U.S. or what, but the rain added something magical to it. When she started performing songs from Reputation, and the rain was pouring, it was like the place could have erupted at any moment—and it did.”
Jason shared that he texted his brother midway through the show, overwhelmed by the excitement of the night. “I texted you halfway through it, ‘This rain, Tay is killing it,’” Jason said, laughing as he recalled his excitement.
He described the moment when Swift came out in a new outfit, performing under the pouring rain, as one of the most exciting parts of the night. “The energy was insane. Everyone was on their feet. The rain was coming down, and she was just killing it on stage. It was so exciting.”
“Keep Killing It, Tay”
As the podcast episode wrapped up, Jason expressed his gratitude for being able to attend the show with his family and reiterated how impressed he was with Taylor Swift’s ability to command the stage, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
“She’s absolutely killing it,” Jason said, summing up his thoughts on the concert. “Keep killing it, Tay.”
The Miami Eras Tour show may have sparked some false rumors about Jason catching a quick nap, but it’s clear that the concert was a hit for him and his family. Despite the brief controversy, Jason’s admiration for Swift—and his defensive stance on the photo—shines through.
For the Kelce family, the night was a memorable one, filled with dancing, rain-soaked performances, and the joy of experiencing live music together. And for Jason, one thing’s for sure: he wasn’t sleeping. He was simply enjoying every moment.
