Jake Paul, the YouTuber turned boxer, is once again in the spotlight—but not for reasons he may have hoped. During Fanatics Fest in New York City, Paul attempted to prank fans by dressing up as Kansas City Chiefs star tight end, Travis Kelce. However, the prank didn’t go as planned, and instead of laughs, Paul was met with a wave of criticism online.

Fanatics Fest, held from August 16-18, is a highly anticipated sports convention where athletes and celebrities gather to celebrate all things sports. The event features everything from limited-edition merchandise to rare collectibles, drawing huge crowds of fans eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. Despite being a well-known figure in his own right, Paul decided to attend the event disguised as someone else—Travis Kelce.

Wearing a Kansas City Chiefs uniform complete with Kelce’s last name and number, Paul stepped out in front of the crowd, presumably hoping to fool fans into thinking he was the NFL star. However, it didn’t take long for his plan to unravel. Fans immediately noticed the discrepancies in Paul’s appearance—most notably, his visible tattoos, a stark contrast to Kelce’s clean-cut look.

The blunder quickly became fodder for social media, with many fans roasting Paul’s failed attempt. One viral TikTok posted by the sports media company betr captured the moment, and the responses were less than favorable. “If I was Travis Kelce, I would be pissed,” commented one user, while another harshly criticized, “Little boy disguised as a grown man isn’t fooling a single person.”

@betr Another Kelce brother 🏈 #jakepaul #traviskelce #nfl #football #taylorswift ♬ original sound – Betr

The backlash wasn’t just about the failed disguise—many took the opportunity to express their frustration with Jake Paul as a public figure. “I’m tired of this tool. I hope Tyson breaks his neck and chews on his ear when they finally fight,” wrote one netizen, referencing Paul’s upcoming fight against boxing legend Mike Tyson. The criticism further emphasizes Paul’s ongoing battle for respect and credibility, both in his influencer career and his relatively new foray into professional boxing.

While the failed prank may have dominated headlines, Paul continued to prepare for what he’s calling his most challenging fight yet against Tyson, scheduled for November 15. Fanatics Fest also saw the two fighters engage in a heated exchange during a press conference at the Javits Center. Tensions escalated when Tyson playfully shoved Paul, who laughed off the interaction.

In a bold move during their face-off, Paul proposed a change to the fight’s rules. Originally set for eight two-minute rounds, Paul suggested upping the ante to ten three-minute rounds—a significant increase that could shift the dynamics of the fight.

Whether Paul’s antics at Fanatics Fest were intended as a playful stunt or an attempt to generate buzz for his upcoming fight, they clearly didn’t land as expected. Instead of leaving fans entertained, Paul once again found himself on the receiving end of harsh criticism, with many questioning whether he can ever truly gain the respect he so desperately seeks in the world of sports.

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