Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has shut down viral chatter that star tight end Travis Kelce returned to training camp sporting a ‘dad body.’
Social media blew up with speculation after footage and photos circulated online showing the 36-year-old looking a little heavier than usual as he reported to practice.
Football fans quickly pounced on the clips, with several joking online that new wife Taylor Swift must have been ‘feeding him well’ following their wedding.
The star couple tied the knot on July 3 in a lavish ceremony inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden before Kelce reported back for duty in Missouri.
However, Reid completely dismissed the fitness concerns, confirming that the veteran reported in good shape as Kansas City prepares for the upcoming season.
‘He came back in good shape,’ Reid told NFL Network. ‘I know everybody’s out there saying he’s got the dad body and all this stuff, but he looks the same to me that he’s always looked.’
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has shut down viral chatter that star tight end Travis Kelce returned to training camp sporting a ‘dad body’
Social media blew up with speculation after footage and photos circulated online showing the 36-year-old looking a little heavier than usual as he reported to practice
Reid added that the 13-year NFL veteran has been ‘playing like crazy’ during early training camp sessions and praised his relentless drive on the field.
‘He’s focused in and ready to go,’ Reid noted. ‘When you have somebody that’s been here 14 years and wants to be out there every snap… where he’s gonna play hard and aggressive, that’s contagious.’
Reporters on the ground at Chiefs camp also pushed back on the online frenzy, noting that any extra offseason pounds have likely already been shed as Kelce works through the heat of summer practices.
Kelce’s return to practice comes at a difficult time for the Chiefs, after the wife of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was allegedly shot by their son, Elijah.
According to The Athletic, Elijah Bieniemy called police two days before the ordeal at their Virginia home to complain that his parents were withholding his firearms.
The outlet reports that the 27-year-old, who is being held by police without bond, called the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on July 24.
According to an incident report, he said that ‘his parents are withholding his weapons and that he’s a certified UFC fighter so now he feels like he cannot defend himself.’
The report noted that Elijah ‘kept rambling on about also having his (CPR) license and what if he cannot help,’ explaining that his parents insisted he surrender his firearms if he wanted to continue living in the household – promising to return them when he went to the shooting range.
Kelce usually arrives at training camp carrying a few extra pounds only to shed the weight
His appearance at training camp marks an end to his whirlwind summer which saw him wed Taylor Swift at a lavish – and highly secretive – ceremony at Madison Square Garden
The July 24 call was one of at least three separate police contacts involving the Bieniemy address in the two months leading up to the tragedy.
Just two days after the phone call, Elijah allegedly shot his mother, Mia Bieniemy, inside their home on July 26, leaving her hospitalized with serious injuries after being shot in the chest and arm.
Mia called 911 herself following the incident, with dispatchers warning responding deputies that ‘the son still has the weapon currently located within the home.’
Elijah was taken into custody outside the residence and subsequently charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling.
A Virginia judge approved a motion for a formal mental health evaluation for Elijah last week after his public defender filed court documents stating his client ‘appears to suffer from significant mental health issues’ and is unable to assist in his defense.
Elijah, 27, is being held by police without bond. Another court hearing was scheduled for August 31 but will now be rescheduled.
