Travis Kelce could face hefty NFL penalty over his Taylor Swift-inspired celebration

Travis Kelce might be facing a hefty NFL penalty for his signature celebration, which has been adopted by his girlfriend Taylor Swift. Kelce is among several NFL players who have taken to performing the ‘bow and arrow’ gesture after scoring.

Earlier this year, the Kansas City Chiefs shared a video of the tight end practising his touchdown celebration against a white backdrop.

Swift even imitated the move during her first London concert of the Eras Tour in June. While singing her song “So High School,” the pop star mimicked shooting an arrow from a bow, causing quite a stir on social media.

During earlier performances on her Eras Tour, Swift fittingly used the gesture while performing her song “The Archer,” which includes the lyric: “I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey.”

Unfortunately for Kelce, it seems he may have to put his celebration on hold for now.

In the second quarter of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 26-25 defeat to the Chiefs in Week 2, wide receiver Andrei Iosivas caught a four-yard touchdown pass while dragging his toes along the sideline. After two officials confirmed that the 24 year old was in-bounds for the score, he fired off several imaginary arrows into the Arrowhead Stadium stands.

NFL Networks Tom Pelissero reported that Iosivas was slapped with a $5,305 (£4,000) fine for what was dubbed by the league as “unsportsmanlike conduct/violent gesture.”

Debate ensued online post-fine, with fans picking sides. A piqued X user declared that Kelce and Swift should be the only ones performing the celebration. “Tayvoodoo next time they should learn not to mess with them and leave the Archer to Taylor and Travis,” they commented.

Others lambasted the NFL for hitting Iosivas with a penalty when Kelce has apparently done the same without reprimand throughout his career. With a precedent set this season, it hints that even Kelce might face fines if he repeats the celebration in future touchdowns.

“Kelce does it all the time, never fined. Roger’s favorite team has different rules than the rest of the no fun league,” argued one fan. Another chimed in: “Yet Taylor Swift’s boyfriend can do it every time for his entrance @NFL? Where’s Travis’ fine? (To be clear, I don’t think either one should be fined).”