Jessie Bates Set to Trash Talk Travis Kelce Sunday Using Taylor Swift

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates has expressed his willingness to engage in some playful banter with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, especially when it comes to Kelce’s high-profile girlfriend, pop star Taylor Swift.

During a recent appearance on “The Pacman Jones Show,” Bates, a two-time NFL All-Pro, mentioned that he doesn’t shy away from friendly smack talk on the field. “I don’t listen to much Taylor Swift, but obviously you got to have respect for what she’s done in her career. And then with Travis [Kelce], you got to have some type of respect with him,” he explained, wearing a grin. “But once that clock ticks and we’re in between those lines, I see red sometimes and might say some crazy stuff to him. It may involve Taylor, it may not. It’s just part of the game, talking your little smack.”

This Sunday, Bates and the Falcons will face off against the Chiefs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons are riding high after a thrilling comeback victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. Bates had a standout performance in that game, recording a game-high 12 tackles and securing one interception.

Bates has found some success in his career facing the Chiefs. Having played his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, he boasts a 3-2 record against Kansas City, including playoffs. Notably, he played a crucial role in helping Cincinnati overcome the Chiefs in the 2021 AFC Championship game, which led them to Super Bowl 56.

The Falcons brought Bates on board during the 2023 free agency period. The 27-year-old is recognized as one of the NFL’s premier cover safeties, and he’ll be expected to match up against Kelce frequently during the game. Currently, Bates ranks second on the team in tackles with 18 and has the team’s only interception.

In contrast, Kelce has recorded four catches and 39 receiving yards over the first two games of the season. However, his statistics in games attended by Taylor Swift last year were significantly higher, suggesting her presence might have influenced his performance.

This matchup promises to be competitive, as all previous encounters between the Falcons and Chiefs this season have been decided by a single score. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere, which may include some friendly taunting between Bates and Kelce.

As the anticipation grows for this encounter, all eyes will be on how the players handle the pressure of their respective roles, both on and off the field.

Source: USA Today