he relationship between Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop music superstar Taylor Swift has taken center stage during the 2023 NFL season as two distinct worlds — pro football and popular music — have collided in an unforeseen way. The Kelce – Swift romance has dominated the season into the playoffs, where the Chiefs will visit the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.
But it could be argued that Swift’s presence at Chiefs games has been distracting for a team focused on repeating as Super Bowl champions. One of Kelce’s teammates described the vibe in a recent podcast appearance — and whether any sparks have flown behind the scenes.
Tranquill spills the tea
During an appearance on “The Zach Gelb Show,” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill said that Swift is not often discussed among the players in the locker room. But even in such a professional, championship-caliber atmosphere, there are still moments and opportunities to joke around with Kelce.
“It’ll be moments like at practice when … our DJ turns on a Taylor Swift song and everybody kind of jokes about it,” Tranquill said. “I think the wives and the girlfriends, I hear about it more when I go home than I do actually in the building.”
Tranquill remarked that Swift’s presence at games has actually been a big boost to the Chiefs, who have generally performed well with the “Lover” songwriter looking on. He said Swift brings “energy and a lot of fun” to games — such as the “Swag Surfin'” that took place during Kansas City’s wild-card round win over the Miami Dolphins.
“It’s been fun, man. That’s something to celebrate, something fun and we enjoy poking fun at Travis,” Tranquill said. “But seems like maybe they’re in love, man. They’ve got really, really something going and we enjoy having her at our games.”
Swift’s next stop: Baltimore?
It will come down to the wire as to whether Swift will touch down in Baltimore on Sunday and take her place in a suite at M&T Bank Stadium to watch the AFC title game play out. However, at this point, it woud be a surprise if the “Lavender Haze” songstress did not show up to support Kelce and the Chiefs.
Swift has attended 11 Chiefs games this year since her relationship with Kelce became public knowledge. Kansas City has won eight of those games — including last week’s divisional playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills. The Chiefs are slight underdogs against Travis and the Ravens’ explosive offense, but the reigning champions will be confident of advancing to a second successive Super Bowl — especially if “good luck charm” Swift is in the building.
