The Kansas City Chiefs, known for their high-performance and disciplined approach to football, have found themselves in an unusual spotlight—thanks to tight end Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift.
While some teams might shy away from the added attention, the Chiefs seem to be embracing it, with head coach Andy Reid leading the charge.
In a recent interview, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and thrive under the increased scrutiny.
“Coach Reid always says, ‘Let your personality show,’ and he wants us to have fun,” Mahomes said. “Travis is such a good dude—it’s true, it’s real. When he’s outside the building, he’s living his life, but when he’s in the building, he’s working his tail off to be the best.”
Despite dating “one of the most famous people in the world,” as Mahomes described Swift, Kelce’s commitment to his craft remains unwavering. “Whenever your Hall of Famer tight end, who’s going to be in that special room with the best of the best, is the hardest working dude at practice, it leads everybody else,” Mahomes added. “It’s not even a distraction.”
The Chiefs have never been strangers to the spotlight, consistently playing in high-profile games such as Sunday Night Football and Super Bowls. “I like playing in the Super Bowl because that’s when I watched it growing up, so why not embrace it?” Mahomes said. “Being that show that comes to town and plays against the best of the best, and getting the best from every single team—that’s what it’s all about.”
Interestingly, the attention surrounding Kelce’s relationship with Swift has brought a new wave of fans to the NFL, particularly women and young girls. “I think it’s been cool to see the girls and the women that have really embraced watching football,” Mahomes said. As a father to a daughter, he finds it particularly rewarding to see how much these young fans are enjoying the game. “Meeting Taylor and realizing how genuine and cool she is has been special to me,” he added.
Mahomes even noted that Swift has shown a genuine interest in football, asking insightful questions and even suggesting game plays. “She’s really interested in football, and she started drawing up plays—so we might have to put one in,” he joked.
As the Chiefs prepare for another exciting season, it’s clear that they are not only ready to handle the spotlight but are thriving in it. With Kelce and Swift’s relationship drawing even more eyes to the team, the Chiefs are embracing their role as one of the NFL’s most entertaining and successful franchises.
