The 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens, and there’s likely to be a familiar face in the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium. Taylor Swift, who is taking a break from her worldwide “Eras Tour,” is expected to be there to cheer on her boyfriend Travis Kelce as he and his team try to make history by winning their third straight Super Bowl.
“We’ll be prepared for her,” Chiefs chairman Mark Donovan said on the Sept. 5 episode of Front Office Sports Today podcast, adding: “She wants to be a fan, this is her free time. … We’re going to provide that opportunity.”
Swift and Kelce have been in their high-profile relationship for a year now, so they’re used to being in the headlines, even in fake news.
Earlier this week, the Internet went crazy over an alleged breach of contract drawn up by the athlete’s PR team, which outlined a plan to break the news later this month. “These documents are completely false and fabricated and were not created, issued or authorized by this agency,” Kelce’s PR firm, Full Scope, said in a statement.
“It’s funny how people fall for that,” a source close to the couple tells Yahoo Entertainment. “It’s a cliché to say it, but honestly, Taylor and Travis are going strong. They’re solid.”
One of the reasons their relationship works is because Kelce isn’t afraid of the spotlight. “He’s proud to be with her,” Yahoo’s insider adds.
In an interview that aired on Thursday CBS Morningsthe Super Bowl-winning athlete essentially confirmed that when asked about his role as “arm candy” for Swift.
“It’s the life I’ve chosen, I guess,” Kelce laughed. “I enjoy it.”
The NFL’s Gladiators Recreate an Iconic @Pepsi commercial.
One of those gladiators is a three-time Super Bowl champion @tkelceHe told @jamieyuccas about preparing for the new season, his hectic summer with Taylor Swift and how his family is dealing with the spotlight. photo.twitter.com/8KBLXoAzDb
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 5, 2024
People who know Kelce and Swift also praise their authenticity. Donovan also spoke about this in his podcast interview, calling the couple’s love story “amazing.”
“You have two really, really special people in the middle of this historic opportunity,” he said. “I will say this about Taylor and Travis, one of the reasons I think they have such an impact on the entire world, but specifically the Kansas City area and even more specifically Chiefs Kingdom, they are both really authentic.”
Donovan continued: “One of the things you learn in Kansas City is if you’re not authentic, it doesn’t work. People see right through it. And if you’re authentic, they’re going to embrace you, and that’s happened to both of them, obviously through Travis’ career, but also more recently with Taylor joining the Kingdom. That’s how we see it, we’re excited for her to be an authentic Chiefs fan and to be an authentic part of this community.”
Although Swift dominated NFL promotion for the new season, even outshining Chiefs MVP-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Donovan said they are doing their “very best to respect” her and Kelce’s relationship.
“Last season at Arrowhead Stadium … we didn’t play a single Taylor Swift song,” he said. “That’s a sign of respect, we’re not trying to capitalize on it. We’re trying to celebrate it.”
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said Thursday Today show that “it’s always a bit of a surprise” when Swift is at the stadium for the game, and even he isn’t aware of it. “But I’m sure the TV cameras will find her.”
Get ready Swifties, it’s going to be another fun NFL season.
