I have given this article a few weeks, but I simply cannot resist anymore. After recent SNL hard launch events, it is basically my due diligence at this point to discuss this topic, given it completely commands my mind on a daily basis now.
In case you have been living under a rock, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are dating. But before I even go there, I need to rewind a little to fully explain this lore because there is a lot.
It all started with Kelce attending Swift’s Eras Tour concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on July 8 — already significant enough for the fatefully intertwined fact this is also the home stadium of the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL team Kelce plays for.
On July 26, Kelce revealed on his podcast “New Heights” that he left said concert “disappointed” that he didn’t get the chance to give Swift one of the friendship bracelets he made for her with his phone number on it.
Now, this fact alone was not initially that significant. I was of course entertained, given I eat any type of pop culture crossover up, but I truly thought my man was delusional. But after recent events, I’ve got to hand it to him — he had a friendship bracelet and a dream.
Rumors swirled for weeks about whether Swift and Kelce were dating — or had ever even met before — and NFL commentary was already becoming Swift-tinged, but nothing was confirmed.
I cannot emphasize this enough: No one thought this was real. The more publicity these rumors got, the less Swifties were buying it. However, the more Swift puns NFL commentators made, the more texts you probably got from your out-of-touch dad.
All of this contributed to the absolute shockwaves sent through the nation on Sept. 24 when Swift was spotted enthusiastically cheering Kelce on in a literal private box at the Chiefs versus Bears game with his mom.
Almost instantaneously, viewership grew by millions, teenage girls everywhere were tuning into football and Kelce’s jersey sales spiked by almost 400%. Enter: The Swift effect.
But while I was gleefully enjoying the chaos, some NFL fans started to get annoyed — excessively angry — about the 10-second max clips of Swift in the stadium.
A viral trend even went around on TikTok of men absolutely losing it when any woman in their life jokingly suggested Swift had put Kelce “on the map.” On the other hand, Kelce himself playfully embraced the trend — even accepting a Swiftie-made friendship bracelet that spelled out the phrase.
This is where I think the situation becomes clear — and don’t get on me too hard, please.
I think football men are uncomfortable with the infiltration of Swifties into the NFL because it is like looking in the mirror. Men of the football breed have long labeled young fangirls as “crazy,” but when you think about it, the NFL is the male Taylor Swift.
Swifties will bawl their eyes out at missing their preferred surprise song at the Eras Tour, and a middle-aged father will flip a bus if their favorite team loses the Super Bowl. They’re two sides of the same coin.
Enjoy the love, don’t take it too seriously and close your eyes when Swift comes on screen or something. In the end, Travis lets Taylor bejeweled, and Taylor lets Travis bejeweled, and somehow that was everything.
