Everything Travis Kelce Has Said About Taylor Swift

Before Taylor Swift showed up to her first Kansas City Chiefs game, Travis Kelce was open about his admiration for the singer — and he hasn’t stopped talking her up since

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift Super bowl holding face los angeles 02 11 24

PHOTO: EZRA SHAW/GETTY

Before Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce took off in a “getaway car” after his Sept. 24 game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, the two-time Super Bowl champion had made his admiration for Swift known.

Dating back to a 2016 interview when the Kansas City Chiefs tight end said he’d “kiss” Swift during an innocent game, to dishing about his weekend in New York City with the singer that included an appearance on SNL and a date night at Nobu, here is everything Kelce has said about the “Anti-Hero” singer since relationship buzz began.

01of 20

Travis Kelce Says He’d ‘Kiss’ Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE July 27, 2016

Travis Kelce.CHARLES SYKES/BRAVO/NBCU PHOTO BANK/NBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY

Years before the rumors started to swirl of a romance between the Chiefs player and Grammy winner, Kelce was asked to play a game of “Kill, Marry, Kiss” while promoting his show Catching Kelce.

When asked on the segment of Afterbuzz TV who he’d select for each category if given the options of Swift, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, Kelce reluctantly voted Grande out first before saying he’d kiss Swift and marry Perry.

02of 20

Travis Kelce Tries to Meet Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce.SCOTT EISEN/TAS23/GETTY IMAGES FOR TAS RIGHTS MANAGEMENT, CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY

A few weeks after Kelce was spotted in the stands at The Eras Tour during Swift’s July 2023 stop in Kansas City, the football player revealed that he tried to meet the “Lavender Haze” singer after the show.

“I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,” Kelce said on his podcast New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, which he co-hosts with his NFL player brother.

“If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it,” he added.

03of 20

Travis Kelce Thinks Taylor Swift Would Like His Mustache

 Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Travis Kelce.COOPER NEILL/GETTY IMAGES

In August, before the NFL season officially kicked off, Kelce sat down with his brother for an episode of their podcast in which the Philadelphia Eagles player asked his brother about the singer — subtly.

When Jason noted that Kelce had “brought back the mustache,” he later asked if his little brother had “found out what Taylor Swift thinks” of the new facial hair.

“We’re not going to bring up Taylor Swift in his episode,” Kelce responded with a smile as his brother laughed, before adding, “but something tells me she’s gonna like it.”

04of 20

Travis Kelce Extends an Invite to Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift.STEVE GRANITZ/FILMMAGIC, TAYLOR HILL/GETTY

As the rumor mill continued to churn about what was going on between the two stars, Kelce addressed the chatter during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show.

He told the host that he “threw the ball in [Swift’s] court” by telling her “I’ve seen you rock the stage at Arrowhead [Stadium]. You might have to come see me rock the stage at Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit.”

He added, “We’ll see what happens in the near future.”

05of 20

Travis Kelce Responds to Taylor Swift Attending His Game

Taylor Swift is seen during a game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023

Taylor Swift.JASON HANNA/GETTY

And the near future came sooner rather than later! Just days after Kelce revealed that he had extended the invite, Swift showed up to his Sept. 24 game at Arrowhead Stadium. Throughout the game, cameras panned to the singer, who was seated in Kelce’s suite alongside his mother, Donna Kelce. After the game, the pair left together in his convertible.

Days afterward, Kelce opened up about the exciting evening on his podcast.

“I’m enjoying life and I sure as hell enjoyed this weekend,” he said in an episode released Sept. 27.

“Shout out to Taylor for pulling up. That was pretty ballsy,” Kelce admitted before adding, “I just thought it was awesome how everybody in the suite had nothing but great things to say about her — the friends and family. She looked amazing and everybody was talking about her in great light.”

He continued, “To see the slow motion chest bumps, to see the high fives with Mom, to see how, you know, Chiefs kingdom was all excited that she was there — that s— was absolutely hysterical and it was definitely a game I’ll remember, that’s for damn sure.”

He then referenced their exit after the game sharing, “And then we just slid off in the getaway car at the end,” seemingly nodding to one of Swift’s songs, “Getaway Car.” “Took my Chevelle to the game … shout out to Taylor for coming through and seeing me rock the stage.”

06of 20

Travis Kelce Says He’s ‘On Top of the World’

A Timeline of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Rumored Relationship

COOPER NEILL/GETTY; NORM HALL/GETTY

Kelce kicked off an Oct. 6 press conference by telling reporters he was thrilled with the Chiefs’ three consecutive wins and was focused on “trying to get to four in a row” that Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The NFL star added, “As all the attention comes … it feels like I was on top of the world after the Super Bowl and right now I’m even more on top of the world.”

In response to how he’s been handling all of the new eyes on him amid the rumored relationship with Swift, the tight end said he’s “learning” how to navigate “paparazzi just taking photos from all over the place” after photographers have started waiting for him at his Kansas City home.

Kelce said he understands the territory that comes with Swift’s level of fame, however. “You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor, and for good reason,” he continued.

Going forward, the NFL star said he’s “just got to keep living and learning and enjoying the moments” as he and Swift enjoy getting to know one another on a public stage. Besides, “at the end of the day, I’ve always been pretty good about compartmentalizing and being able to stay focused in this building, so I’ll just keep rolling with that,” he added.

07of 20

Travis Kelce Talks About Weekend in N.Y.C. with Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift depart the SNL Afterparty

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.GOTHAM/GC IMAGES

On the Oct. 18 episode of his New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast, Kelce spilled about his previous weekend adventures in New York City, which included a visit to SNL.

“It was electric to be back in that place,” Kelce shared of his SNL cameo after previously hosting the show earlier this year. “There is just something about being in that room. And being their first episode this season, I had such a freaking blast man.”

Kelce thanked producer Lorne Michaels for welcoming him (and Swift!) to the show and added that they “showed up at SNL having the idea of going, supporting Ice Spice. Her and Taylor are good friends.”

Jason and Kelce also dove into the internet chatter surrounding the photos and videos that emerged from the budding couple’s various outings, which saw Kelce helping the “Maroon” singer in and out of the car and holding her hand.

“I feel like whenever I’m on a date I’m always having the sense of like, I’m a man in the situation, I’m like protective, yeah for sure,” Kelce said. “You always kind of have that feeling — or that self-awareness, I guess.”

08of 20

Travis Kelce Talks About Seeing His Dad Chat with Taylor Swift

Brittany Mahomes and Taylor Swift watch during the second quarter between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos

Taylor Swift and Ed Kelce.JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES

The brothers also discussed what it was like to see Swift chatting it up with their dad, Ed Kelce, at the Oct. 12 Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Papa Kelce in the spotlight,” Jason said during the Oct. 18 episode. “If you were watching the game, you saw something momentous happen, which was Taylor Swift talking to Ed Kelce.”

“You know Dad like I know Dad,” Kelce chimed in. “This is a terrifying conversation. I felt terrible for Taylor for being in this.”

“If you see Dad talking to anybody and you can’t hear what’s happening, who knows where that conversation’s going,” Jason added before both brothers agreed that when it comes to their mom Donna, they don’t have to worry.

“It’s delightful, it’s gonna be a wonderful conversation,” Kelce said of his mom, who has previously been spotted with Swift during games.

09of 20

Travis Kelce on Taylor Swift’s Positive Effect on the Chiefs

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce leave her show together/go out after show

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.JOHN SHEARER/GETTY, DOUGLAS P. DEFELICE/GETTY

On a late October episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, Kelce opened up to his brother Jason about his improved performance on the field when Swift is there to cheer him on.

The Philadelphia Eagles center said, “When T Swift is at the game, you are averaging 99 yards and when you are left with only your friends and remaining family there, you are at 46.5 yards a game.”

Kelce replied, “It’s kind of hard for me to wrap my head around that sentence.”

The brothers also talked about the support Kelce’s coach, Andy Reid has shown for the budding romance. “It appears that Big Red is noticing it because he weighed in in his post-game press conference,” Jason said. “He was asked about your big game and his response was, ‘Kelce keeps getting better with time, Taylor can stay around all she wants.’ ”

The tight end replied, “Listen, when you’re getting Big Red’s approval and blessings, you know you’re doing something right.”

Days later, when a reporter at a Kansas City Chiefs press conference asked Kelce if he’s “in love,” he replied with a smile, “I’m going to keep my personal relationship personal.”

10of 20

Travis Kelce on Joining Taylor Swift in Argentina

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in Argentina

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.MARCELO ENDELLI/TAS23/GETTY , MIKE DJORDJ / SPLASHNEWS.COM

A lot happened during Kelce’s whirlwind visit to Argentina to see Swift perform in early November: the pair had a date night after Swift had to postpone a show, Kelce hung out with the singer’s dad and Swift surprised her boyfriend with a shout-out in her song, “Karma.”

“We got some good food, man — had some empanadas and steak. They’re big on all the different cuts of meat,” he told brother Jason of the local cuisine during the Nov. 15 New Heights podcast. “Got some good steak down there, man.”

On the downside, Swift “wasn’t too happy about” having to postpone a concert due to thunderstorms, Kelce added. “But when it’s unsafe to her and her crew and everybody in the stadium you gotta do what you gotta do.” Plus, he said, “I think it ended up being perfect, everybody got to go.”

The bonus time, however, gave Kelce a chance to convert Swift’s dad Scott from a Philadelphia Eagles fan to a Kansas City Chiefs fan, he joked on the podcast.

11of 20

Travis Kelce on His Relationship with Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce WSJ. cover/feature

Travis Kelce.WSJ. MAGAZINE

In an interview for the cover of WSJ. Magazine’s December/January issue, Kelce dived in to the start of his relationship with Swift and how it has all progressed since.

Though he first said, “I don’t know if I want to get into all of it,” he later added color to the story of how they were first connected following an unsuccessful attempt at meeting her at the Eras Tour.

“There were definitely people she knew that knew who I was, in her corner [who said]: Yo! Did you know he was coming? I had somebody playing Cupid,” Kelce told the outlet.

“She told me exactly what was going on and how I got lucky enough to get her to reach out,” he said of when Swift eventually got in contact with him.

Kelce said the pair’s first official meet-up came after they’d already established a line of communication.

“When I met her in New York, we had already kind of been talking, so I knew we could have a nice dinner and, like, a conversation, and what goes from there will go from there,” he said.

Being with Swift, he continued, is a whole new ballgame, as he’s “never dated anyone with that kind of aura about them,” he said.

“I’ve never dealt with it,” Kelce added of Swift. “But at the same time, I’m not running away from any of it…. The scrutiny she gets, how much she has a magnifying glass on her, every single day, paparazzi outside her house, outside every restaurant she goes to, after every flight she gets off, and she’s just living, enjoying life. When she acts like that I better not be the one acting all strange.”

He said that spending time getting to know Swift has been eye-opening, admitting, “I’ve never been a man of words. Being around her, seeing how smart Taylor is, has been f—— mind-blowing. I’m learning every day.”

12of 20

Travis Kelce Says He ‘Loves It’ When Taylor Swift Cheers Him On

Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes react during a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs; Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on prior to the game New York Jets at MetLife Stadium

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.DAVID EULITT/GETTY IMAGES; DUSTIN SATLOFF/GETTY IMAGES

Throughout the 2023-2024 NFL season, Swift was spotted cheering Kelce on across the country from games in Kansas City, New Jersey, Green Bay, Foxborough, Buffalo and Baltimore. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show in late January, Kelce said he “loves” the support from Swift.

“I love it when Taylor comes and supports me and enjoys the game with the fam and friends,” Kelce said. “It’s been nothing but a wonderful year, man.”

Elsewhere in the chat, he said when it comes down to it, “we’re just two people supporting each other and having fun with it, man.”

He continued, “It’s nothing more than that, and how much the world wants to paint the picture and make us the enemy, we just have fun with it, and we enjoy every single bit of it.”

13of 20

Travis Kelce Opens Up About the Timeline of His Relationship with Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have dinner at Waverly Inn on October 15, 2023

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.GOTHAM/GC IMAGES

Also during his appearance on Pat McAfee’s show, Kelce shined a light on exactly when the pair got in touch initially.

“We had known each other for close to a month up to that point,” he said about her first appearance at one of his games on Sept. 24, 2023, when the Chiefs faced off against the Chicago Bears.

“It wasn’t just an out-of-the-blue, ‘Hey, come to the game,’ ” he added.

14of 20

Travis Kelce Discusses Celebrating His AFC Championship with Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.ROB CARR/GETTY

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Kelce was asked about how it felt to celebrate his AFC Championship win with his loved ones — including Swift!

Sweet videos from the on-field celebrations showed Kelce kissing and hugging Swift and even telling the superstar, “I love you.”

While speaking at a press conference, Kelce said the celebrations were “another memory in the journey that we get to cherish, man.”

“And I’m fortunate that I got all the support I need off the field,” he added. “And, you know, it gives me a reason to play that much harder on the field is the people you just mentioned.”

While chatting about the exciting moment on an episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, Travis told Jason: “Shoutout to Tay, thanks for joining the team,” after the Philadelphia Eagles center joked that Swift had “reached the Super Bowl in her rookie year.”

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Travis Kelce Says He’s Heard ‘Some of’ Taylor Swift’s New Album

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.ROB CARR/GETTY

After Swift made the exciting announcement that she was dropping a new album later this year while accepting her 13th Grammy Award on Feb. 4, Kelce revealed that he has already heard “some of” the new project.

“I have heard some of it, yes. And it is unbelievable,” he told reporters of the upcoming Tortured Poets Department. “I can’t wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops.”

16of 20

Travis Kelce Gives a Shoutout to ‘Unbelievable’ Taylor Swift Following Her Grammy Wins

US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift accepts the Best Pop Vocal Album award for "Midnights" on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024.

Taylor Swift.VALERIE MACON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Kelce was also sure to shoutout Swift’s history-making night when she became the first artist to win album of the year four times.

“She’s unbelievable. She’s re-writing the history books herself,” he said. “I told her I’ll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with hardware, too.”

17of 20

Travis Kelce Has Loved the ‘Unexpected Ride’ They’re On

Travis Kelce Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift

TIM NWACHUKWU/GETTY

Speaking to CBS’ Tracey Wolfson ahead of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl appearance (and win!), Kelce emphasized how much fun he’s had over the past few months of dating Swift.

“It’s been an unexpected ride that I’ve just been having a blast with,” he said.

And as for those conspiracy theorists who think the whole thing is for the cameras?

“You’re all crazy,” he said with a laugh. “Every last one of you is crazy.”

18of 20

Travis Kelce Says the Two Are ‘On Top of the World’

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco

EZRA SHAW/GETTY

With his Super Bowl win coming just seven days after her record-breaking Grammys win, Kelce can only describe their big week in one way: “Man, it’s on top of the world right now, baby. It’s a good feeling,” he told reporters who asked how they were both celebrating.

19of 20

Travis Kelce Says They’re Having ‘Nothing But Fun’

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22 in overtime.

EZRA SHAW/GETTY

“It’s been nothing but fun,” Kelce told Wolfson of his whirlwind relationship with Swift over the past few months.

20of 20

‘What Me and Taylor Have Is Special’

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift Super bowl holding face los angeles 02 11 24

EZRA SHAW/GETTY

When Westwood One podcast host Laura Okmin told Kelce ahead of the big game that “love looks good on you,” he graciously accepted the compliment with, “thank you, I appreciate that.”

He further went on say that he’s “very aware” of the impact his relationship has had on getting a new audience into the NFL, “mostly because Taylor’s in my life now.” He also said that while he wanted to make sure everyone knew his focus was on playing the best he could, he didn’t mind all the attention on the two of them, because “what me and Taylor have is special.”