Who Is Taylor Swift’s Rumored Love Interest, Travis Kelce? Here’s Everything We Know About the NFL Star & Their Relationship

The NFL player might be Taylor’s newest boo

By Joel Calfee

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Published Sep 25, 2023

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5:02pm

Jason Hanna/JC Olivera/Getty Images

“I wanna be your end game / I wanna be your first string / I wanna be your A-Team,” Taylor Swift, 33, sings on her 2017 Reputation track “End Game.” While those may have just been sports metaphors at the time, it seems Miss Americana is finally getting a taste of the real thing. After splitting with her boyfriend of six years, Joe Alwyn, in the spring, it has been rumored that Swift is testing the waters with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, 33. It was speculated that the pair were talking after Kelce expressed his interest in the singer, and now, fuel has only been added to the fire after Swift was spotted at a Chiefs game on Sunday, Sept. 24, wearing Kansas City gear and getting chummy with Kelce’s mom.

So, who is Kelce? How did he and Taylor first meet? And how long have they known each other? Here’s what we know.

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1. Who Is Travis Kelce?

Kelce was born in Westlake, Ohio on October 5, 1989 (a year that probably looks quite familiar to Swifties).

The NFL player is the younger brother to Jason Kelce, a football center for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both siblings have always been highly competitive and both have actually been to the Super Bowl (and won it).

Prior to joining the NFL, Kelce played college football at the University of Cincinnati, where his older brother was also a student and member of the football team.

Then, Travis got drafted during the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, where he was recruited by the Kansas City Chiefs. As a part of the team, Kelce won Super Bowls LIV and LVII. Some outlets, such as CBS Sports, have claimed that he is one of the best tight ends in the history of the sport.

2. How Did He and Taylor Swift Meet?

To put it simply, it all started with a friendship bracelet.

In case you're unaware, fans who attend Swift’s Eras Tour have been making lyric-inspired friendship bracelets to trade with other attendees. The trend was driven by a line from the song, “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” which goes: “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”

Back in July, Kelce revealed on his podcast, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, that he attempted to give his phone number to Swift while attending one of her concerts (using a friendship bracelet as a cheeky conversation starter).

“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,” the tight end said. “So I was a little butthurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her...I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it.” When Jason asked his brother if he meant his phone number or his jersey number, Travis responded: “You know which one.”

But while the NFL star didn't get to hand Swift the bracelet, it seems she might have heard about the gesture anyways...

3. When Was It First Speculated They Had Started Dating?

Months after Kelce’s comment about the friendship bracelet, NFL+ host Andrew Siciliano asked Kelce about the “Anti-Hero” singer. In response, the tight end said: “I’m not gonna talk about my personal life… I know what you writers wanna hear, and you wanna hear more about that and I’m not gonna give you anything.” When asked if Swift had contacted him, he said: “And that’s gonna wrap it up here with NFL.”

He soon after told ESPN that he thought the focus on him and Swift was “hilarious” and the rumors about their relationship had swirled around like a game of Telephone. He added, “I threw it out there. I threw the ball in her court. 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.’”

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4. Has Swift Been to Any of His Games?

After Kelce proposed that Swift come watch one of his games, she did just that on Sunday, Sept. 24, when she watched the Kansas City Chiefs play against the the Chicago Bears (at Arrowhead Stadium, mind you).

While watching from a private box, Swift was seen chatting with Kelce’s mom, Donna, while sporting an ensemble of Chiefs-themed clothing.

After the game, the pair were captured chatting together and Swift was even seen riding off with him in his convertible. Later that night, Kelce bought out the Prime Social Rooftop restaurant in Kansas City, where his family, team and Swift were present.

One insider told the Daily Mail, “The one problem that they have now is that their schedules are so all over the place that it is difficult to get together without being seen and everything else that comes from being the celebrities that they are.” They added, “He has shot his shot and would love to take Taylor on a date and see where they can go in the relationship department.”

We'll be keeping our eyes peeled to see what happens next for Taylor and Travis.

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Joel Calfee

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Joel is the former Associate Editor for News & Entertainment and has been reporting on all things pop culture for over 5 years. Before working at PureWow, he served as a Features Editor at ROCKET Magazine. When he's not dissecting the latest trends in entertainment (or guiding you on what to watch), he covers all the hottest red carpet looks and fashion movements. When he steps away from the keyboard, you can likely find him at an NYC concert, thrift store or LGBTQ+ bookstore happily perusing the shelves.

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