The Problem with Travis Kelce

If you are reading this, you know exactly what I am referring to with the title of this article. You saw the interaction between Travis and his coach, Andy Reid, either live or as it was replayed during the game or millions of times after in the media that you consume.

What is the problem with Travis Kelce? Wrong question.

We are obsessed with solving other people's problems. Our lives are much easier when someone else is the problem. We sit around tables, bars, boardrooms, watercoolers, restaurants, social media feeds, chatrooms and debate what is wrong with someone or something else.

The problem isn't Travis Kelce

The problem isn't Andy Reid.

The problem isn't Taylor Swift.

The problem isn't the National Football League (NFL)

The problem isn't ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Disney, etc.

What is the problem? Hang on...

Am I condoning what Travis did? No. But I'm not condemning it either.

A funny thing happened on my way to being me. When I got here, I realized I was the only one who was exactly like me.

The same is true about you.

The same is true about everyone.

If Travis had lived my experience from the moment he was born until now, he'd be me. If I had lived Travis' experience from the moment I was born until now, I'd be him.

I'm guessing it hasn't been that long since you acted or reacted in a way you wish you hadn't and would love to take back. It just wasn't on national TV during the most watched program in the history of TV.

If you don't remember the last time you acted or reacted in a way that you or others deem as inappropriate, ask your spouse/significant other, boss, neighbor, child, parent, teacher or friends. They'll tell you.

What if you were willing to give others the grace that you expect others to give you?

Should there be consequences for what Travis did? Why do you think that should be your call?

What is the problem? Wrong question.

Who is the problem? See, now we are getting somewhere.

Have you ever purchased anything from YouTube, Amazon, Verizon, Uber, Lowe's, Best Buy, Marriot, Pepsi, Frito-Lay or Apple? How about Visa, Campbell Soup, Mars, Proctor & Gamble, Anheuser-Busch, Gatorade or Microsoft?

That's not even half of the official NFL sponsors and doesn't include any of the official licensees/partners, such as Nike, Under Armour, New Era, SiriusXM, Ticketmaster or DirectTV.

Who is the problem? The problem is "We the People".

You are the problem. I am the problem.

Quit buying or quit bitching.

If you can't quit buying, that's fine. Just quit bitching.

Go fix you. No one else can fix you.

You can't fix me. That's on me.

Leave Travis Kelce up to Travis Kelce. #notyourproblem

Gage Bontrager Consulting