In a surprising revelation that blends sports rivalry with Hollywood charm, actor Josh Charles has opened up about the moment he bluntly called NFL superstar Travis Kelce a "d***." The incident, far from creating lasting animosity, unfolded into a story of unexpected warmth and shifting perceptions, set against the creative backdrop of Taylor Swift's 'Fortnight' music video.
From AFC Championship Heartbreak to a Candid On-Set Confrontation
The roots of this story lie deep in American football loyalty. Josh Charles, a lifelong Baltimore Ravens supporter, found his emotions still raw from his team's painful loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. When Charles crossed paths with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during the filming of Taylor Swift's 'Fortnight' video, that competitive memory was fresh in his mind.
Charles recounted the story on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He admitted that while he always thought Kelce was cool, the events of that championship season changed his view. "I’ve always liked Travis Kelce, I thought he was cool, but that year they beat us in the AFC championship game — they beat the Ravens — he was a real jerk that year," Charles confessed to Fallon. He did not mince words when he finally met Kelce, telling him directly, “You know I always liked you, and this year you were kind of a D-*-*-*.”
An Unexpected Response and a Change of Heart
What happened next completely disarmed Charles. Instead of taking offense or firing back, Travis Kelce laughed and agreed with the assessment. "He laughed, and he said, ‘You know what, you're right,'" Charles recalled. This honest reaction instantly dissolved the tension and opened the door for a genuine conversation.
Their talk moved beyond the awkward start into a discussion about football strategy and mutual respect. Kelce explained to Charles that the Chiefs were "most worried about that game" against the Ravens and had deliberately leaned into a confident, swaggering attitude. What Charles had perceived as annoying behavior suddenly made strategic sense. By the end of their conversation, Charles's view had transformed. “He’s such a good dude,” he later told Fallon. “I really like him.”
The Surreal Setting of Swift's 'Fortnight'
This entire exchange took place on the unique set of Taylor Swift's 'Fortnight' music video, where Charles and actor Ethan Hawke played lab scientists in a stylized scene inspired by 'Frankenstein.' The creative environment seemed to spark unexpected and honest dialogues.
Charles also shared his admiration for Taylor Swift, writing on Instagram after the experience, "I’ve admired Taylor for a long time, but meeting her in person took my fandom to a whole new level." He praised the global pop icon as "Genuine, kind, approachable, and just an all around stellar human being — Not to mention a kick a*s director to boot!"
The story, which began as a playful on-set confession, has taken on a life of its own. It serves as a perfect snapshot of how initial impressions, fueled by sports passion, can evolve into mutual respect when two people engage in an open and honest conversation.
