Caitlin Clark Explains Skipping Colts Jersey: ‘Loyal to the Red’

Caitlin Clark says she left a custom Indianapolis Colts jersey unworn at a game last season because she wanted to stay “loyal to the red” of the Kansas City Chiefs, and she acknowledged afterward that the choice looked worse once she realized her Fever teammates had put theirs on. Clark made the comments on Kylie Kelce’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, according to Fox News.

What happened

Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, recalled attending a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium, a short walk from the Fever’s home building. The team gave her a custom jersey with her name on it. She did not wear it.

On the podcast, Clark said she wasn’t consciously calculating in the moment about upsetting Chiefs fans or Travis Kelce. “After the fact, I didn’t realize that all my teammates had it on, so that made me look worse,” she said, as reported by Fox News.

She framed the decision as allegiance rather than a snub of the Colts. “It’s best for me to be loyal to the red,” she said, referring to Kansas City’s jersey color. She has been seen at Arrowhead Stadium supporting the Chiefs alongside Taylor Swift, most recently on Oct. 18.

Clark also praised the Colts organization, specifically the daughters of the late owner Jim Irsay — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson. Carlie runs day-to-day operations and is known for standing on the sideline with an earpiece to hear live play calls. “I love the Colts. I think it’s so cool, the Irsay daughters and what they do,” Clark said.

Kylie Kelce, who is married to Jason Kelce and is Swift’s sister-in-law, said she has taken criticism herself for not wearing red at Chiefs games. Clark still has the Colts jersey. “It’s cool! They put my name on it,” she said.

Why it matters

The exchange is mostly a light celebrity-sports crossover, but it shows how visible Clark’s football fandom has become since she began appearing with Swift at Chiefs games. Her choice of jersey became a talking point in a way an ordinary fan’s would not.

It also illustrates the awkward spot for a hometown star: Clark plays in Indianapolis, and the Colts are the city’s NFL team, yet her public football loyalty sits with Kansas City. This suggests any future Colts appearance by Clark will draw attention to which colors she wears.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• If you follow Clark for her basketball, this is a personal-fandom story, not a Fever or WNBA development. It has no bearing on her play.
• For Colts fans, Clark’s comments are friendly toward the organization even as she declines to wear its colors — she praised its leadership directly.
• Expect the jersey question to resurface whenever Clark attends a Colts game or a Chiefs game. She has not said she will change her stance.

Frequently asked questions

Why didn’t Caitlin Clark wear the Colts jersey?

She said she wanted to remain loyal to the Chiefs’ red, and that in the moment she wasn’t thinking about backlash. She later realized her teammates had worn the jerseys, which she said made her look worse.

Does Caitlin Clark still have the Colts jersey?

Yes. She told Kylie Kelce she kept it and liked that it had her name on it.

What did Clark say about the Colts’ ownership?

She said she loves the Colts and finds it cool what the Irsay daughters — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson — do, noting Carlie’s hands-on role running the team day to day.

Who is Kylie Kelce?

She hosts the “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, is married to Jason Kelce and is Taylor Swift’s sister-in-law. She said she has faced criticism herself for not wearing red at Chiefs games.

What to watch next

Clark has not said whether she will attend another Colts game or what she would wear if she did. The Colts, meanwhile, have lost four straight games and appear headed for a roster overhaul; Fox News reported that running back Jonathan Taylor surfaced as a possible trade candidate, though ESPN reported the team does not want to trade him for now.