Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce told his brother Jason on their “New Heights” podcast that the NFL is going a bit overboard when it comes to Taylor Swift coverage. UPDATE: The NFL has responded.
The Grammy-winning pop star and Kelce have captured the media zeitgeist in recent weeks amid dating rumors. While neither of them have outright confirmed they are in a relationship, Swift has caused a media frenzy by recently attending two Kansas City Chiefs games. She was joined by famous friends like Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Sophie Turner and more at the Chiefs’ Oct. 1 game against the New York Jets, as the NFL broadcast frequently cut to Swift in the stands.
“Is the NFL overdoing it?” Jason asked Travis on the podcast. “Take away your feelings for Taylor Swift.”
“I think it’s fun when they show who all is at the game,” Travis answered. “I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you’re watching. But at the same time, they’re overdoing it a little bit for sure… especially my situation. I think they’re trying to have fun with it.”
Travis later said that celebrities attending football games “aren’t there to be thrown on the TV.”
“The NFL is not used to celebrities coming to the games,” Jason added. “Basketball has it figured out… [celebrities are] court side, they show them once or twice and then they get back to the game. The NFL is like, ‘Look at all these A-list celebrities at the game! Show them! Show them!’ Dude, show them once and get a little clip, but you can’t be overboard with it.”
In response to the podcast the NFL released a statement via People Magazine defending their copious Swift coverage. “We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what’s happening in and around our games, as well as culturally,” the statement said. “The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport.” The NFL then doubled down saying that while Swift has dotted the coverage, “The vast majority of our content has remained focused on the game, our players and variety of other initiatives, including our Toy Story Funday Football alt-cast, the international games and more.”
As PvNew observed during the Chiefs-Jets match, much of the coverage early on showcased Swift’s attendance, including the game’s announcers welcoming Swifties to the game. “The Voice” host Carson Daly also presented a video package meant to introduce Swift fans to the NFL game and give a rundown on Kelce. It included plenty of puns based on her song titles and was soundtracked to “Welcome to New York.” After the Chiefs scored their first touchdown, the camera cut quickly to Swift, who was seen hugging those around her.
Next up for the Chiefs is an Oct. 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Will Swift be in the bleachers?
