Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shut down online claims that star tight end Travis Kelce reported to training camp out of shape.
Social media chatter flared after online photos and video showed the 36-year-old looking heavier than usual when arriving for practice in Missouri. Football fans joked that his new wife, Taylor Swift, was feeding him well following their wedding. The couple married on July 3 in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Reid dismissed concerns about the tight end's fitness 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."
Reid Praises Kelce Training Camp Focus
Reid added that the 13-year NFL veteran has been playing like crazy in early practice sessions while showing relentless drive on the field. "He's focused in and ready to go," Reid said. "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 at Chiefs training camp also pushed back against the online rumors. They noted that Kelce typically sheds any extra offseason pounds while working through hot summer practices.
Bieniemy Family Shooting and Police Contacts
Kelce's return to practice comes during a difficult period for the Chiefs after the wife of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was allegedly shot by their son, Elijah Bieniemy.
According to The Athletic, 27-year-old Elijah Bieniemy called police two days before the incident from his family's home in Virginia. He complained that his parents were withholding his weapons and stated that he is a certified UFC fighter so now he feels like he cannot defend himself.
An incident report from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office noted that Elijah kept rambling on about also having his CPR license and what if he cannot help. His parents had requested that he surrender his firearms if he wanted to continue living in the household, promising to return them when he went to the shooting range.
The July 24 phone call was one of at least three police contacts involving the Bieniemy address in the two months leading up to the incident.
Charges and Mental Health Evaluation
On July 26, two days after the call, Elijah allegedly shot his mother, Mia Bieniemy, inside their home, leaving her hospitalized with serious injuries after being shot in the chest and arm. Mia called 911 herself following the incident, while dispatchers warned responding deputies that the son still has the weapon currently located within the home.
Deputies arrested Elijah outside the residence. Authorities charged him 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 last week for a formal mental health evaluation for Elijah 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 is being held without bond, and an August 31 court hearing will now be rescheduled.
