Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift: The NFL’s Love Affair with Celebrities
The NFL has been known to attract celebrities to its games, and the recent presence of pop superstar Taylor Swift at Kansas City Chiefs’ games has caused quite a stir. With numerous cutaway shots of Swift and her famous friends during the Chiefs’ games, some players believe that it may be a bit excessive. Travis Kelce, the star tight end for the Chiefs, expressed his opinion on the matter during a podcast with his brother Jason, who plays center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
During their podcast, Travis and Jason Kelce discussed their thoughts on the numerous cutaway shots of Taylor Swift during the Chiefs’ games. They both agreed that the network was overdoing it, especially considering Travis’ personal involvement with Swift. The singer attended the Chiefs’ home win over the Chicago Bears, sitting with the Kelce brothers’ mother and sparking rumors of a romantic relationship between her and Travis.
Swift’s presence continued in the following week when she attended the Chiefs’ road win at MetLife Stadium in New York, accompanied by actors Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman. The speculation surrounding her relationship with Travis Kelce even reached the White House, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby humorously responding to questions about President Joe Biden’s thoughts on the matter.
Front Office Sports reported that NBC’s broadcast of the game included 17 cutaway shots of Swift and her friends, compared to only eight shots of injured Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Travis Kelce jokingly remarked that it felt like Swift was shown once every drive, while Jason compared the frequency of her appearances to Jack Nicholson’s courtside presence at Lakers games.
The Kelce brothers suggested that the NFL should take a page out of the NBA’s book when it comes to showcasing celebrity fans. They praised the NBA for showing celebrities courtside but not overdoing it by frequently cutting away from the game. Jason Kelce added that the NFL’s constant focus on A-list celebrities at games detracts from the main event – the football itself.
Despite the criticism, the NFL and NBC stood by their decision to spotlight Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the games. They acknowledged the immense interest surrounding the two and highlighted the positive impact it had on the sport. The increased attention also led to a significant boost in viewership, with Sunday’s game attracting 27 million viewers, the highest for a Sunday night contest since the Super Bowl earlier this year. Teenage girls, in particular, showed a 53% surge in viewership.
While Taylor Swift will soon resume her international tour, her presence at NFL games is expected to continue. In the meantime, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
In conclusion, the NFL’s love affair with celebrities, particularly Taylor Swift, has ignited speculation and debate. The frequent cutaway shots of Swift during Chiefs’ games have divided opinions among players like Travis and Jason Kelce. While some feel that it adds to the atmosphere, others believe that it is overdone. Regardless, the NFL and NBC have embraced the attention and witnessed a surge in viewership as a result. As the season continues and Swift’s tour resumes, fans can expect more celebrity sightings at NFL games.
