Those who are into pop culture or follow the National Football League know Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are dating. Taylor, an icon amid a worldwide tour, has been dating a football player who plays in Kansas City. Travis catches passes from Patrick Mahomes as a tight end for the Chiefs.
I can’t speak for the Swifties, whom I'd never be able to identify even if they were wearing a Taylor Swift hat and sweatshirt, but a good portion of NFL fans are unhappy about this romance, or perhaps they may be upset with the amount of coverage (that bleeds into NFL talk) she and Travis receive. The average diehard fan from Toledo wears a stained t-shirt while lounging in a chair, carrying a beer, and yelling at the screen. I get it; some fans bleed football, and they focus on the game and the teams involved. They wish their team would confidently and efficiently matriculate the ball down the field in hopes of crossing the opponent's goal line. Gambling, too, has brought a different element to NFL football. The other fans don’t have a rooting interest in either team and are tuning in because they have money on the game.
Regardless, at most recent Chiefs’ games, TV producers have focused on Taylor rooting for the Chiefs and Kelce from a very comfortable suite. When she’s in attendance, cameramen may gleam at her more than several times during the game. Of course, among the discontent, they want the actual coverage to stick to the gridiron solely. Speaking of a fan and former player, Rob Gronkowski was saying, "Yes, show her, maybe have her perform a song now since they're hyping her up every single week, but we want more football. Yes, it's fine that you show her, but not every single play!" It wouldn't be complete if Jason Kelce, Travis' brother, chimed in too: "I think it’s fun when they show who was 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, I think they're overdoing it."
Indeed, this cute couple has just started dating in the fall of 2023, which coincided with the start of the NFL season. Anyway, why do some fans get angry about a little too much coverage of this relationship? Are they jealous of her success? Are they jealous of Travis’ success? I'm not into pop culture, but it appears this arrangement is getting much more coverage than Taylor's other dating history -- interestingly, two famous individuals from totally different industries are dating. At this point, Travis likes Taylor, and Taylor likes Travis. Let’s enjoy the moment and see how far will the Taylor and Travis romance go.
If NFL fans want to be upset about something, perhaps they should focus on the actual game. Why not complain about how the referees so far in ’23 have been inferior with so many blown calls? What about the lack of scoring and many, many boring games? Or they should be upset with the call ‘Ineligible Man Downfield’ when it’s not clearly obvious. Why don’t fans complain when the TV networks go to a two-minute commercial after an injury? Perhaps religious people may be upset about advertising legal gambling -- at this point, omnipresent. Think FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM and DraftKings. Perhaps fans should be angry about how the NFL has done an about-face with gambling; a few years ago, they wouldn’t touch it, and now they appear to be sanctioning such an industry. I wonder what persuaded the NFL to embrace legalized gambling in many states and ultimately changed the NFL gambling policy.
Perhaps the phrase, “it’s all about the money,” would answer the previous question.
It’s wild because Kansas City is six and one and is the forerunner for the AFC Championship. I believe ever since that day that Taylor and Travis have been dating, the Chiefs have won every game, and some on ESPN or FoxSports have already asked how Travis and the Chiefs will handle things when Taylor attends a game where they lose. Wouldn’t you call this thought or comment cynical? If this romance continues, do they think Kansas City won’t stumble and lose a game or two? This is the NFL, where professionals play, and, for the most part, there is a slight separation between the great, sound, and mediocre teams on any given Sunday, Monday, or Thursday. Perhaps they should stick to the X’s and O’s of football, and their cynicism should be applied to the game and not how many times Taylor is featured on camera.
Just remember, some NFL fans who are criticizing this coverage should tread carefully – don’t forget about Taylor Swifties. There are plenty of fans who will defend Taylor at a moment’s notice. You must realize they’ll utilize social media to protect Taylor if they feel she’s unfairly treated.
Taylor has 274 million Instagram followers and recently took the NFL by storm. Some networks are getting a little flack for 'excessive coverage' on panning the camera often in her direction.
Indeed, the increased revenue of this spectacle far outweighs the cost. So, for the time being, it will continue. And why wouldn't it?
How far will the Taylor and Travis Romance go? Who knows, but they make a handsome couple and are meant to be; who knows, they might find true love and happiness. In the meantime, enjoy the Kansas City Chiefs, defending Super Bowl champs, as they attempt to repeat as champions as Taylor and Travis continue to keep close company.