Ever since Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce became public, the pop superstar has become a trending conversation topic regarding the NFL and the sports world at large.
That discourse will get even louder this coming week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII as the Kansas City Chiefs pursue their second consecutive championship. Some fans feel like pop culture has barged in on their favorite pastime (even though the actual intrusion on game broadcasts has been minimal). Others are fine with the increased attention that the NFL has enjoyed with Swift’s fans and mainstream media showing more interest in the Chiefs.
Count Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce among those celebrating Swift becoming more of a presence with the NFL and positively influencing young fans, especially female supporters. That shouldn’t be a surprise, considering that he’s happy for his brother amid his budding romance with Swift.
“The attention is there because the audience wants to see it,” Kelce said Saturday at the Pro Bowl Games practices in Orlando. “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,” Jason Kelce continued. “An unbelievable role model for young women across the globe. I think the NFL would be foolish not to show her and be a role model for all the young girls out there.”
Jason Kelce has benefited as well, with his fame surging because of the spotlight Travis and Swift receive. But he also realizes that more positive attention is good for the sport, as does the NFL. Did Kelce need to point that out? Apparently so, because he’s being asked about it. Similar questions surely will be asked of many Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers players and coaches leading up to the Big Game. And Kelce’s sentiment likely will be echoed.