Not only is Taylor Swift one of the most successful musical artists of all time, but she is also currently the biggest name in professional football. Pop culture and sports fans may rarely mix, but when they do, it will surely be interesting. And ever since Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce linked together in early September, the rumor mill has not stopped spinning. After being spotted sitting next to Kelce's mom on Sunday at the Chief's game, the talk of this pairing is starting to seem less and less like a rumor.
With that being said, here's everything that has happened so far between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift:
The rumors of the two first began in late July when Kelce revealed on an episode of his podcast "New Heights" that he attempted to give his phone number to Swift via a friendship bracelet while attending her Kansas City concert this past summer. The pass at Swift was incomplete, according to Kelce's podcast, as he ended the segment by saying that he was unable to give her the bracelet and was a bit "butthurt" that she didn't want to meet him.
Clearly, that hurt didn't last very long. In early September, TheMessenger reported that a source revealed Swift and Kelce had been "quietly hanging out." The news spun the media more than when Joe Burrow was rumored to be engaged, and rightfully so.
While nothing had been confirmed by either party, this did not stop NFL commentators from running with the idea of the two being together. American sports commentator Rich Eisen fit in an impressive amount of Taylor Swift puns on the air when talking about Kelce during the Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars game on Sept. 17.
Kelce responded to these jokes in an Instagram comment, saying, "Well played, Rich… well played." It was the first time Kelce had made any public comments about his rumored relationship, and it still didn't give fans much to hold on to.
But Wednesday morning, Travis's older brother and Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce, added fuel to the fire when he said on a sports radio talk show that he believed the rumors of Swift and his brother were "100% true." Although he quickly followed the statement by saying he was "joking," those waiting on a confirmation were officially sold.
The following Thursday on the Pat McAfee Show, Travis Kelce stated that "No one actually knows what's going on" when asked about the Swift rumors and joked about how everyone needs to stop asking his brother. Kelce said he “Threw the ball in her court and told her, 'I've seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead. You might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit.’"
And unlike the failed attempt at delivering his phone number via bracelet, this offer from Kelce seemed to go over a little better as Swift was spotted in the stands at the Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Proudly wearing Kansas City red and sitting next to Kelce's mom, Donna, Swift appeared to be having a good time while watching the Chiefs dominate Chicago. The pair were later seen leaving the game together while Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was left to deal with more questions about Swift than the game itself.
The appearance by Swift officially confirmed that something may be happening between the two and has taken the internet completely by storm. While the future for this couple is still unknown, fans of the potential pair can sleep peacefully, knowing that this is more than just a rumor. Travis Kelce said it best himself on Thursday, "We'll see what happens in the near future."
No matter what happens, Kelce and Swift can trust that pop culture media and the NFL will be following their development every step of the way. Kelce and Swift have officially proven that 2023 is the era of unexpected celebrity couples. What could possibly be more exciting than that?
