Travis Kelce's Impact on the Fade Haircut Debate
A New York Times article covering the trend of men requesting "the Travis Kelce" fade haircut at barber shops sparked racially-charged backlash, with some accusing Kelce of cultural appropriation. However, the fade haircut originated in the U.S. military in the 1940s and 1950s, and the black community did not popularize it until later. The article simply highlighted the haircut's popularity and Kelce's influence, but some individuals sought to incite racial animus over the issue, despite neither race owning the style.