The Kansas City Chiefs remain atop the NFL world after winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. They defeated the San Francisco 49ers last month in Super Bowl LVIII, giving them their second championship victory over Kyle Shanahan’s team in five years. The win made head coach Andy Reid just the fifth coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowls, while Patrick Mahomes became just the ninth quarterback with that many championship wins.

This year’s Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and 49ers was the most watched championship game in NFL history. This, of course, was thanks to the new fans that started following the Chiefs and the NFL in general due to Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce‘s relationship with 14-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift.

Prior to breaking the record for the most viewers for a Super Bowl, the Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens played in the highest-viewed AFC Championship Game. Of course, Swift was present at that game as well.

Taylor Swift Increased Recognition for Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Taylor Swift celebrates after Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (not pictured) scores a touchdown in the 2024 AFC divisional round game between against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
 

The NFL world and Swift fans were introduced in the Chiefs’ Week Three game at home against the Chicago Bears. In that contest, Kelce had seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City’s 41-10 win. It was also the first game at which Swift was shown to have attended. Sitting in a luxury box with Kelce’s family, she was the talk of the broadcast, much to the chagrin of traditional football fans.

Despite the blowback from gate-keeping fans, Kelce’s now-public relationship with the popstar ballooned his own fame. His jersey finished in the top-ten of NFL jerseys sold and he has received millions of dollars worth of new endorsement deals.

The relationship has not been one-sided, though. When his practice and game schedules allowed, Kelce was seen at Swift’s concerts, even traveling to Argentina during the Chiefs’ bye week to support her there. After the Super Bowl, he also traveled to Sydney, Australia where she was performing as part of her Eras Tour.

Kansas City Chiefs Players Embraced Taylor Swift as Family

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with girlfriend Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
As much as many fans seem to love the relationship between Kelce and Swift, there are also many who, for some reason, cannot be happy that two people are happy together. Perhaps it’s because they have lost their ability to change the channel or scroll past things that do not interest them, or maybe they are just miserable people.

In any case, there was a great deal of blowback from fans who criticized Swift’s presence at games and how much she was shown on camera (which amounted to less than 1% of the game). Their criticism was heard by Chiefs players and coaches, and it made them all embrace her even more as part of their family.

Taylor Swift Was Attending Kansas City Chiefs Games Before Anyone Knew She was Dating Travis Kelce

Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift waves to fans during the second half between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
As mentioned earlier, the first time that Swift was seen at a Chiefs game was in Week Three against the Chicago Bears. Kansas City’s secondary coach, Dave Merritt, however, says that game was not the first time she was in the building to support Kelce and the team.

Speaking on “The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac,” Merritt said:
“When [Taylor] started to come around, it was privately. She was coming into the stadiums without people knowing until the camera put a big spotlight on it.”
Prior to the game versus Chicago, the Chiefs played one game at home, a Week One loss to the Detroit Lions, and on the road in Week Two against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Whenever it really started, it certainly sounds like the players have enjoyed having her around.