Travis Kelce's return to his brand new NFL season might be off to a slightly rocky start, although it's not one the Kansas City Chiefs tight end can't…shake off.
The 35-year-old athlete returned to the field with his team for their first preseason game this year against the Arizona Cardinals, hoping to redeem their trajectory this season and return to the Super Bowl and take back their place as champions following their crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
© Getty ImagesHowever, things didn't go the way they'd hoped, as the Cardinals emerged victorious 17-20, although as preseason games often go, it's not a huge sign of things to come so much as just "there's more work to be done."
The Chiefs will next face off in the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks on August 15 and then the Chicago Bears on August 22, before finally kicking off their regular season against the Los Angeles Charges on September 5, followed immediately by a rematch with the Eagles on September 14.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has remained encouraging about the team's prospects going into the coming season, including his tight end Travis being in prime form this year after reportedly losing 25lbs heading into the season, as well as his relationship with girlfriend Taylor Swift, who has been a fixture at several of his games.
During an appearance on Kansas City sports radio's 96.5 The Fan with Fescoe and Dusty earlier in the week, Andy, 67, explained that he actually knew Taylor, 35, and her family before she even met Travis and started dating him.
"My family has been a big fan of hers, and we know her father and mother and that whole deal from the Philadelphia area," he shared. "And her dad's a huge football fan, so we hit it off with him." Her father has been seen attending Chiefs games in the past (although used to be a diehard Eagles fan due to his Philly living).
© Getty Images"Then she became this famous person…Arguably the most famous woman in the world since probably the Queen passed away. But she sure handles it the right way, and that's the part I appreciate the most."
Andy was also asked about the prospect of a Travis and Taylor wedding, and questioned whether he had any stories about the NFL star he'd share in a toast. "Well, there are a few I can't tell," he quipped.
© Getty Images"I mean he's done so many good things – all the things he does off the field people don't know about, just helping people out. He's got a big heart that way. I appreciate that the most."
© Ezra Shaw- July 2023: Travis first shows interest in Taylor after her concert at Arrowhead Stadium, attempting to give her a friendship bracelet with his number.
- September 2023: Taylor attends a Chiefs game, sitting with Travis' mom, signaling their growing connection, and they leave together.
- October 2023: They’re spotted holding hands at public events, including an SNL afterparty, confirming their relationship.
- November 2023: The couple goes public, with Taylor referencing Travis in her concert lyrics, and he confirms their relationship in an interview.
- January 2024: Taylor and Travis ring in the new year together with a kiss, and he declares his love after the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win.
- February 2024: Taylor supports Travis at the Super Bowl, celebrating his victory with him in a major public moment.
- April 2024: Taylor references Travis in her song lyrics, further solidifying their relationship in her music.
- June 2024: Travis makes a surprise appearance onstage with Taylor during her Eras Tour show in London, taking their public connection to the next level.
He also showered the couple with praise for bringing so much more mainstream attention to the sport, especially from female audiences, amid discourse surrounding the dilution of the sports fandom by Swifties. "I think it's great. Obviously, women and girls are looking at the game a little more."
© Instagram"Look at flag football now – we're talking about Olympic sports, we're talking about college sports. Girls are having an opportunity to play the game and they're loving it. Not that it was all tied into [Taylor], but she had a big part of that. And the NFL has bought into that, too."
