In Sept. 2023, rumors that pop singer Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce were dating began rapidly spreading. It started with Kelce explaining on his podcast about how he went to Swift’s concert at Arrowhead Stadium and how he had wanted to give her a friendship bracelet. He had said that he did not get to meet her and that he was very disappointed. This then led to Swift’s team contacting Kelce and getting the two in contact. It is believed they began a relationship in late Dec. of 2023.
“They seem like they’re in a very healthy relationship,” Taylor Swift fan, sophomore Jaiden Minnella said. “Like, she’s at a lot of his games and supporting him and he supports her. I think their relationship is very mutual and I think they really respect each other too.”
The pair have been very supportive of each others professions as Kelce was spotted at Swift’s concert in Argentina and Swift has been to numerous Chief games. However, when Swift is showcased at Chief games, many fans across the NFL get upset as they believe the organization is over sensationalizing their relationship instead of focusing on the game occuring.
“I don’t have any hate towards Swift and Kelce,” Chiefs fan, junior Delaney St. John said. “I just think that now, the Chiefs’ football games focus a little too much on the relationship and I know that Taylor Swift probably doesn’t even like all the attention anyway. So I think that they should stick to the football aspect.”
With their newfound relationship, many people have started listening to Kelce and his brother’s podcast, New Heights. As well, people who are fans of Swift have started to watch football and have learned more about the game.
“To me personally, I think it’s [their relationship that] has had a positive effect,” Minnella said. “Because one I understand football because of them. And I think also football is the most watched sport in America, but it’s also bringing attention to a new group of people who might otherwise, like myself, have no idea how football works or anything about it.”
With the Chiefs making it to the Super Bowl, many of Swift’s fans will be watching along with fans of the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Even though some people aren’t happy about the Chiefs making it to the Super Bowl, most football fans are still excited about the game itself and have high expectations.
“For a little while I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t have to see as much of Taylor Swift,” St. John said. “I know that if the Chiefs did end up going to the Super Bowl that there would probably be a lot of publicity of her especially. So for a little while I was thinking that maybe it would be easier if they didn’t go to the Super Bowl, but they have been a team that I’ve kind of watched for a while so in the long run I’m happy that they’re going.” (Story by Canyon Dubis)
