Travis Kelce Slammed for 'Liking' SNL Video Mocking Women Who Dress Like 'Whores' at the Gym

The reported Instagram interaction drew criticism as Dan Levy and Ego Nwodim responded to Gillis' remarks about women's workout clothes

Travis Kelce has drawn online criticism after reports that his Instagram account had liked a Saturday Night Live video featuring Shane Gillis' jokes about women's gym clothing. An unnamed source close to the Kansas City Chiefs star has since offered an explanation, describing the interaction as support for a friend.

An outlet, citing a source, reported that Kelce had long been a fan of SNL. The account was not an on-record statement from the NFL player, but it offered a different interpretation from viewers who regarded the reported like as approval of Gillis' remarks.

The comedian hosted SNL on Saturday, 10 October and joked that he had not realised women 'dress like whores now' when discussing their workout clothes. The routine prompted criticism from actor Dan Levy and an apparent response from former SNL cast member Ego Nwodim.

Why Kelce's Reported Like Drew Criticism

Reports published on 13 October described Kelce's account appearing among those that liked SNL's Instagram post of Gillis' opening monologue. A screenshot of the interaction also circulated online, prompting commenters to question the like.

Gillis' routine centred on his return to the gym and his jokes about women's exercise clothing. He described tight-fitting shorts in crude terms before joking that men could appear in the background of fitness videos recorded for social media.

Critics objected to the language used to describe women, and some extended that criticism to Kelce after seeing the reported interaction.

A like does not establish agreement with every statement in a video. The available reporting describes an interaction and the responses it attracted, rather than establishing Kelce's views on the specific joke.

Page Six's source offered a separate explanation, saying Kelce was supporting a friend and engaging with a programme he enjoyed. The source's account should be distinguished from a direct explanation by Kelce himself.

Dan Levy Condemns Gillis' Language

Levy criticised the monologue in an Instagram video posted on Sunday, 11 October, arguing that women's choice of workout clothing did not justify the comedian's language.

'Women wearing short shorts at the gym does not make them whores,' he said. 'It makes the men calling them whores misogynists. There's a difference there.'

The Schitt's Creek co-creator also called on men to support women more. His response addressed Gillis' performance and did not directly accuse Kelce of endorsing it.

The criticism of the monologue and the reaction to Kelce's reported like were related but separate. Levy challenged the words broadcast during the show, while commenters subsequently questioned what the football player's engagement might mean.

The monologue also received support. Page Six further reported that broadcaster Bobby Bones said he found much of the performance funny and praised Gillis for taking chances.