Every game is pressure-packed in the NFL, and as the movie title implied, any team can win on “Any Given Sunday.” Even the worst teams in the league are separated from the best by the narrowest of margins. The difference could be an injury, an outlier performance by an unknown player, or an underperformance by star players. Sometimes, it’s because Taylor Swift is in the stands.
Perhaps Swift isn’t the reason the Kansas City Chiefs obliterated the hapless Chicago Bears Sunday, but her presence certainly put extra pressure on at least two of coach Andy Reid’s players to take their game up a notch.
The Chiefs Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes put on a show for Swift that, while not as impressive as her Era’s tour, certainly generated plenty of excitement for Swift. The team didn’t play down to the Bears level and dusted Chicago 41-10.
At one particular juncture in the game, Mahomes sought out his best player Kelce for what turned out to be the Chief’s last score of the game. With the contest already in hand and the Chiefs winning 34-0, Mahomes found Kelce in the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown as Swift looked on and presumably Swifty’s everywhere rejoiced.
After the game, the Kansas City quarterback admitted he was looking to get Kelce in the end zone in front of his special guest and rumored beau. Mahomes said: “I heard she was in the house. I felt a little bit of pressure. So, I knew I had to get it to Trav. And of course, it was on a route that Travis – he does his own thing and just makes up a route and I throw it to him.”
Kelce led the team in receiving as usual, but Mahomes was sure to help his friend and teammate impress Swift. He continued: “I think he wanted to get in the end zone just as much as all the Swifties wanted him to.”
After the last score, the Chiefs took out Mahomes and Kelce for the remainder of the game and finished up with veteran backup Blaine Gabbert. Swift and Kelce were spotted leaving the stadium together after the game.
Kelce has been very vocal about his admiration for Swift and said on The Pat McAfee Show: “I threw the ball in her court. I told her, ‘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. We’ll see what happens in the near future.”
Kelce certainly rocked the stage at Arrowhead, but the couple and the team apparently rocked a Kansas City hotspot after the game. Prime Social Rooftop hosted an impromptu private after-party for Swift and members of the team, including Kelce. An eyewitness said: “Travis bought out the restaurant for his family and team. Taylor arrived, wearing a denim dress, and was seen snacking, having some cocktails and dancing alongside Travis. The two were very affectionate with one another but kept things fun and lighthearted. Travis’ teammates also showed up to the after-party, as well as his mom and dad, Donna and Ed. The party lasted until 2 a.m.”
Coaches often warn players about distractions; nothing could be more distracting than Taylor Swift. It likely won’t affect Kelce’s play, but it will bring new fans to the NFL, as long as Swift doesn’t write a song about him. That rarely ends well.
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