NFL defends publicizing Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce story

Last Updated on October 9, 2023

The players gonna play, play, play, play, play – but not all of them have Taylor Swift rooting for them. In case you’ve been living in the Carolina Panthers’ end zone this year, 12-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift is apparently dating two-time Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce. But the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has criticized the NFL for over-publicizing the budding romance, forcing the league to call an audible and speak out against one of its stars.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, the NFL stated, “We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what’s happening in and around our games, as well as culturally,” referring to changing their Instagram bio to read “chiefs are 2-0 as swifties” and even adding “Taylor’s Version” to their X handle. “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 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.”

Prior to this, Travis Kelce said he felt the NFL was leaning too heavily into the Taylor Swift angle. “I think everybody is just, like, overwhelmed…I think it’s fun when they show who all is at the game. 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, especially my situation.”

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII, edging out the Philadelphia Eagles (Go Birds!) 38-35. This gave them their third franchise trophy following victories in 2020 and 1970. They are currently 3-1 and next play the Minnesota Vikings. Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is not known to be dating a pop sensation.

Taylor Swift may consider taking a night off from cheering on Travis Kelce as she prepares for the release of her Era Tour concert film on October 13th.

What do you think of how the NFL has handled the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift story? Are they going too hard or is it a good way to generate publicity?