Milestones come and go in the world of sports. They are subject to the whims of time and space and people, all of which can chart a path forward, unbound by history’s grasp and yet still privy to the ways it influences our present and future condition.
The NFL is a markedly different place to the one that existed this time last year. There are a number of reasons for that, some of which originated on-the-field, others whose roots developed off of it.
Taylor Swift’s presence as the Shield’s most ardent supporter seemed an unlikely proposition last summer. The international pop star hadn’t been known to engage with football in any sort of substantive way prior to the 2023 season — outside of some notable gridiron references in some of her music videos.
Lightning struck for the NFL in Sept. 2023, however, fueled by a romantic relationship between Swift and one of the league’s most vaunted representatives, Chiefs star Travis Kelce. One year later and we’re all still feeling the aftershocks.
Here’s what you need to know about Swift’s NFL debut.
Revisiting Taylor Swift’s 2023 NFL debut
Kelce made his interest in Swift very clear ahead of Kansas City’s Week 3 clash with Chicago last year, calling on his soon-to-be girlfriend to see him “rock the stage at Arrowhead” just as she had done a few months earlier. He even crafted a friendship bracelet for Swift when she performed at Arrowhead in July 2023, hoping to swap the jewelry with the then 33-year old.
Swift followed through, making her big league debut when Kelce’s Chiefs took on the then-Justin Fields-led Bears on Sept. 24, 2023.
To the naked eye, things appeared to happen quite serendipitously. Swift looked to have paid a visit to an unsuspecting sporting match featuring a man who seemed to want to form some sort of connection with the 14-time Grammy winner.
Things aren’t always as they appear, however. Kelce and Swift were in regular communication with one another prior to the Week 3 clash. Entertainment Tonight even reported that Kelce had “definitely” developed a crush on Swift.
“He is a simple guy that is very funny, charismatic, chill, and loves playing football,” Entertainment Tonight’s Jackie Willis wrote.
Swift bumped shoulders with a host of Chiefs elite, chief among them was Kelce’s mother, Donna. It appeared that she cultivated tons of goodwill during her cameo, so much so that Travis Kelce escorted her out of the stadium following the conclusion of the game.
Kansas City walked out worthy victors, vanquishing Fields and Chicago, 41-10. Swift seemed to enjoy the festivities, which included a seven-catch, 69-yard, one-touchdown Kelce performance.
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The burgeoning couple left Arrowhead in style, Kelce wearing an outfit that paid homage to Swift’s 2013 album, “1989.”
Three days later, Kelce more or less confirmed that he and Swift were dating on the podcast he co-hosts with his older brother, Jason, “New Heights.”
Twelve months later and the two are still going strong. Swift routinely features at Kelce’s games — and the broadcasts that accompany them. Kelce is a regular presence at Swift’s shows, both domestically and abroad.
It might not be everyone’s tea. But it’s likely the biggest sports story that emerged over the past year. It hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, either.
