Sunday’s Super Bowl was a tough night for Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, whose team suffered a decisive loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, as if the defeat wasn’t enough, Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, became an unexpected topic of debate after she was spotted on the field celebrating the Eagles’ victory.
Nicole, a sports journalist, and media personality faced online backlash from some fans who accused her of attending the game out of spite or in an attempt to stay relevant, while others rushed to her defense, emphasizing her professional credentials and right to be there.
Travis Kelce’s Ex Has a History of Being a Chiefs Fan
Before Swift, Nicole was Kelce’s only high-profile relationship. They met when Kelce liked one of her Instagram posts, which led to an on-and-off relationship from 2017 to 2022. During their time together Nicole frequently attended games, cheering on her boyfriend and his team. She was even on the field when he won his first Super Bowl in 2020.
This is also not the first time Nicole has stirred up controversy regarding the Eagles. She riled up fans when she reported a clip of the Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts, attending a basketball game in November 2023. When fans questioned her intentions about posting Hurts—who is in a long-term relationship—she followed it up with a flirty tweet, writing, “Ya’ll have eyes too.”
Since Kelce and Swift went public with their relationship, Nicole has been open about the harassment she has endured at the hands of the Swifties However, she has also not stopped talking about her ex in podcasts and interviews.
Kayla Nicole’s Celebration Of Travis Kelce’s Huge Loss Sparks Controversy
Videos of Nicole on the field after the Eagles’ win quickly gained traction online. One clip showed her tossing Eagles-colored confetti into the air to the tune of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Another showed her speaking with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, oddly without a microphone in her hand. Though she made no mention of Kelce, some fans accused her of being there to “stay relevant” through her past connection to the Chiefs’ tight end.
Critics flooded social media with harsh comments, with some taking personal jabs at Nicole’s career and motives. Others ridiculed her presence on the field, questioning how she gained access.
With one Chiefs fan account writing on X, “Her whole personality is being Travis Kelce’s ex. It’s pretty sad.”
“Travis Kelce is a class act. In the meantime Philly has players and fans in TK’s comments attacking Taylor in favor of his ex. Soooo eff you, Philly, until you learn how to treat people with the same respect & dignity given to your city, fanbase, and team for effing years by TK,” another fan shared referencing Eagles player C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s recent comments.
However, many rushed to her defense, pointing out that she was there in a professional capacity as a journalist and media personality.
Fans Defend Kayla Nicole’s Right to Be There
Supporters of Nicole were quick to counter the backlash, highlighting her established career in sports journalism. Nicole, who holds a degree in broadcast journalism, has worked for major networks covering the NFL, NBA, and other sports. She currently produces content for I Am Athlete, a sports media platform.
Many social media users noted that Nicole was simply doing her job.
One user wrote, “So y’all idiots can’t see the media pass around her neck? Or is it just for agenda purposes?”
Another added, “This is her JOB, and just because you losers only met her after he got with Taylor does not mean it was the same for us. She had a life before and still has a life AFTER him.”
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Fans React To Travis Kelce’s Ex Celebrating the Eagles Super Bowl Win