Although NFL star Travis Kelce was notably absent from this year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), his absence did not go unnoticed, sparking significant online chatter. His girlfriend, pop sensation Taylor Swift, however, made sure to give him a special mention during her acceptance speech, addressing his absence and expressing her appreciation.

According to Page Six, Kelce’s absence from the VMAs, held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, was due to work commitments. The Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end had practice scheduled in Kansas City ahead of their upcoming Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was set for Sunday, September 15.

Despite this practical explanation, some online users were skeptical. Social media buzzed with speculation, with one commenter suggesting, “I think he’s not at Taylor’s award [show] because he’s more interested in his career.” Another humorously remarked, “He obviously doesn’t have time to have a matching dress made.” There were even rumors that the couple, who have been closely followed by the media, could be on the verge of a breakup. “Now. The breakup we all heard was coming,” one user wrote, while another opined, “Great loss, beginning of the end.”

Swift, the most nominated artist of the night, put those rumors to rest by publicly acknowledging Kelce during her Video of the Year acceptance speech. She shared a sweet anecdote about how Kelce supported her during the filming of her music video for “Fortnight,” a collaboration with Post Malone. She described hearing Kelce cheering her on from across the studio after each take, adding, “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So I wanna thank him for adding that to our shoot because I’ll always remember that.”

While the live audience erupted in cheers, not everyone online was convinced by the gesture. Some speculated that there was more to Swift’s mention of Kelce. One user commented, “She had to mention [Kelce], it’s part of the ‘arrangement,'” implying there was an underlying contractual obligation between the two. Others expressed doubt about Kelce’s growing fame, with one noting, “He is loving the fame.. 😂.”

Despite the speculation, Swift and Kelce’s public appearances together have painted a picture of a strong and happy couple. They were most recently seen attending the US Open together in New York just days before the VMAs.

Swift had a stellar night at the VMAs, where she was nominated for a total of 12 awards, including Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Artist of the Year. In addition to taking home Video of the Year for “Fortnight,” she also snagged multiple other trophies, solidifying her place as one of the biggest winners of the night.

As the relationship between Swift and Kelce continues to capture public attention, their every move is scrutinized, and rumors about their relationship are likely to persist. However, their public displays of affection and support for each other seem to suggest they are still going strong, despite the whispers of an impending breakup. Whether or not Kelce attends Swift’s future events, the love and admiration they have for one another, as seen in Swift’s heartfelt speech, remain evident.