Why Jason Kelce Thinks the NFL Should Keep Showing Taylor Swift on TV
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Jason Kelce has Taylor Swift's back.
The Philadelphia Eagles center is defending his brother Travis Kelce's girlfriend amid criticism over live TV coverage of the singer's appearances at the Kansas City Chiefs star's games.
"The attention's there because the audience wants to see it," he told ABC affiliate WCPO 9 in an interview posted Feb. 2. "I mean, if people didn't want to see it, they wouldn't be showing it. I know that. She's a world star, she's the quintessential artist right now in the world, singer-songwriter, immensely talented, unbelievable role model for young women across the globe."
Jason offered the NFL some words of advice. "So I think that the NFL would probably be foolish not to show her," Jason said, "and be a role model for all the young girls out there."
The athlete and his wife Kylie Kelce, parents of three young daughters, met Taylor in person for the first time Jan. 21, at the Chiefs' playoffs game against the Buffalo Bills. There, Jason went viral himself when TV coverage and social media videos showed him raking off his shirt and celebrating outside their stadium suite with fans.
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Taylor and Jason later reunited the following week at the Chiefs' AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, which they won to advance to the 2024 Super Bowl. Two and the brothers' parents Donna Kelce and Ed Kelce then celebrated with Travis on the field—with the "Blank Space" singer and the star tight end kissing on live TV for the first time.
"Shout out to the newest member of Chiefs Kingdom, Taylor Swift," Jason later said during the Jan. 31 episode of his and Travis' New Heights podcast, before adding jokingly, "who has officially reached the Super Bowl in her rookie year."
The Chiefs star laughed, adding, "Yeah shoutout to Tay, thanks for joining the team."
Look back at Taylor and Travis' road to romance below:
<p>July 2023: So, Make the Friendship Bracelets</p>
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story began in July 2023, when the singer's Eras Tour made a stop at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
As a huge Swiftie, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end caught the show with hopes of giving Taylor a friendship bracelet with his number on it. However, he failed to complete the pass due to her pre-show rituals.
"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," Travis shared on the July 26 episode of his New Heights podcast. "So, I was a little butt-hurt I didn't get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her."
<p>Summer 2023: This Is Him Trying</p>
After publicly recounting his fumble—a move Taylor would later describe as "metal as hell"—Travis decided to shoot his shot and invite the Grammy winner to watch the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium.
"I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court," he shared on The Pat McAfee Show. "I told her, you know, 'I've seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit.' So, we'll see what happens in the near future."
<p>August 2023: Enchanted to Meet You</p>
Travis was rocking a mustache—which he debuted in August during training camp—when he was first introduced to Taylor.
As he later noted of the era, "That 'stache and the 87 jersey was pretty iconic there for a little bit, and I had it when I met Taylor for the first time."
<p>September 2023: Sparks Fly</p>
By early September, a source close to the situation told E! News that Travis and Taylor were "texting and talking here and there."
"It's been very low-key," the insider explained, "as he's been in season."
<p>Sept. 24, 2023: Cheer Captain</p>
Accepting Travis' invite, Taylor joined the athlete's mom Donna Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium to watch him and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears. After the game, Taylor and Travis were seen packing PDA at a local bar.
Though folklore had it that it was the couple's first in-person meeting, the "Karma" singer later clarified the two had spent a "significant amount of time" getting to know each other beforehand.
As Taylor noted, "We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date."
<p>Oct. 1, 2023: Team Up</p>
As an indication that the relationship was heating up, Taylor brought her squad—including friends Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Sophie Turner, Hugh Jackman, Sabrina Carpenter and Antoni Porowski—to watch the Chiefs play against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
<p>October 2023: It's Nice to Have a Friend</p>
Another sign that Travis could be The 1? Taylor started bonding with Brittany Mahomes—the wife of Travis' BFF and teammate Patrick Mahomes—in and outside of NFL games.
<p>October 2023: Welcome to New York</p>
The couple took their romance to TV, making a surprise appearance on the Oct. 14 episode of Saturday Night Live. Their Big Apple takeover also included the after-party for the NBC sketch show and a date night at the Waverly Inn.
<p>November 2023: Karma Is Her Boyfriend</p>
During a bye week, Travis traveled down to Argentina to catch the South American leg of Taylor's Eras Tour. Not only did the NFL star bond with Taylor's dad, Scott Swift, at the Nov. 11 show in Buenos Aires, but he also got a special shoutout from the stage.
"Karma is that guy on the Chiefs," Taylor sang, "coming straight home to me."
After the show, the Midnights artist was seen running up to Travis backstage and greeting him with a passionate kiss.
<p>December 2024: Speak Now</p>
Taylor addressed the lavender craze surrounding her appearances at Travis' games.
"I'm going to see him do what he loves, we're showing up for each other, other people are there and we don't care," she told Time. "The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you're seeing someone."
<p>December 2023: You, Who Charmed Her Dad</p>
The music superstar turned Travis' Dec. 17 game into a family affair, bringing her dad to cheer on her man.
<p>January 2024: All the Midnights</p>
Taylor and Travis spent their first New Year's Eve together, sharing a romantic kiss when the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1.
<p>January 2024: Chosen Family</p>
Continuing to bond with Travis' family, Taylor hung out with his brother Jason Kelce and sister-in-law Kylie Kelce at the Chiefs' game against the Buffalo Bills.
<p>Jan. 28, 2024: Saved by the Perfect Kiss</p>
Taylor joined Travis on the football field when the Chiefs won the AFC Championship, a victory that cemented the team's spot in the 2024 Super Bowl. The couple shared a celebratory kiss before exchanging the L-word.
"Tay, I'm gonna enjoy with the guys," he told her. "I love you—so much it's not funny."
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