Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates isn’t opposed to talking trash to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce about his famous pop star girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
Bates was a guest on ‘The Pacman Jones Show’ podcast on Friday, and the two-time NFL All-Pro said Taylor Swift smack talk isn’t out of bounds.
‘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,’ Bates said with a smile. ‘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, in may not. It’s just part of the game, talking your little smack.”
The Falcons host the Chiefs on Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bates and the Falcons are coming off a comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. The 2023 Pro Bowler produced a game-high 12 tackles and one interception in the victory.
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Bates has enjoyed some success in his career against Kansas City. Bates, who played his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, is 3-2 (including playoffs) against the Chiefs. He helped Cincinnati beat Kansas City in the 2021 AFC Championship game to advance to Super Bowl 56.
The Falcons signed Bates during 2023 free agency. The 27-year-old defensive back is regarded as one of the best cover safeties in the NFL and is expected to be matched against Kelce plenty on Sunday. He enters Week 3 second on the team in tackles with 18 and has the club’s lone interception.
Kelce has four catches and 39 receiving yards through two games. However, his stats were outstanding when Taylor Swift was in attendance last season.
Sunday night’s contest figures to be close. Every game the Falcons and Chiefs have played thus far this season has been decided by one score. There might be a little trash-talking as well.
