Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes walked with country singer Morgan Wallen as he took the stage at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday.
Before returning to the football field next month, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star duo served as Wallen’s entourage as he prepared to serenade fans at the home of the Super Bowl champions.
While the quarterback and tight end were dressed in street clothes for the show, Wallen, unsurprisingly, wore a red Chiefs jersey in honor of the team.
However, fans were divided over the singer-songwriter wearing the number 7, the same number worn by controversial kicker Harrison Butker on the field.
In May, Butker urged men to “fight cultural emasculation” and claimed that women are meant to be “housewives” while delivering a commencement address at Benedictine College.
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes served as Morgan Wallen’s entourage at Arrowhead
Butker’s speech was filled with his conservative views, not only on gender roles, but also on abortion and vaccines.
As a result, fans were outraged and criticized his worldview. Tennis legend Serena Williams also criticized Butker during the ESPY Awards after a segment honoring female athletes.
Although images from the show circulated, comments on her choice of number seemed divided.
“I was ready to go in the car but he redeemed himself with Pat and Travis,” one user wrote.
“I love how he depicts Butker!” added another.
Wallen, who is no stranger to controversy, was in the spotlight in 2021 after a video surfaced of him saying a racist slur. However, another angle of his performance at Arrowhead shows he wasn’t exactly wearing a Butker jersey.
Wallen was wearing a jersey with the number 7, which is the number used by controversial kicker Harrison Butker.
Butker detailed her beliefs about gender roles for men and women at Benedictine College.
One user shared a photo showing that Wallen’s jersey had his name on the back, not Butker’s.
The same user who posted the photo of Wallen with Kelce and Mahomes posted a photo taken from behind him on stage and wrote, “Since this is showing up in the replies: no, that is not a Butker jersey. Wallen’s last name is on the back.”
The reason for Wallen’s choice of number remains a mystery. However, the number 7 may be a nod to one of his hits “7 Summers” from 2020.
As for Kelce, Mahomes and the team, they are back on training camp after an eventful summer.
The Chiefs’ title defense and quest for a three-peat will begin Sept. 5 against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead.