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Travis Kelce, tight-end for the Kansas City Chiefs, won the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 last February. Kelce and his family grabbed the spotlight because Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce’ brother, plays center for the opposing Eagles team.

But, Kelce has been in the news for another reason recently.

Over the summer, Kelce went viral for a comment he made after attending what is set to be the biggest tour of all time only a third through its run.

The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift is on the way to be the highest grossing tour of all time. The tour takes an expansive look through her career since 2006 journeying through each album (with the exception of her self-titled debut, Taylor Swift).

The average price of tickets of face-value tickets was set at $455.78 with 68 shows in North America. The average attendance per show is 72, 459. The projected total comes to $2.2 billion, according to CNN Business.

In comparison, the current record holder is Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” that grossed over $939 million over the course of five years, according to Billboard.

At her first show in Nashville, Swift announced to the crowd that Nissan Stadium informed her that the crowd broke the record for highest attended event. Swift then continued her streak pushing that number each night.

Rutherford source reports 70,474 in attendance on night one, 70, 698 on night two and 70, 752 in the stadium on the third night. The total attendance of 211,000+ in the stadium over the weekend in May 2023.

The tour has had an even larger impact than record-breaking alone. Market research firm QuestionPro estimated last month that her tour could help add $5 billion to the worldwide economy. Swift also gifted $100,000 to 50 of her tour truck drivers (total $5 million), according to CBS News.

This concert has encouraged unity and friendship between fans of Swift, otherwise known as Swifties. One practice at the shows on The Eras Tour involves trading friendship bracelets.

The song “You’re on Your Own Kid” off Swift’s album Midnights features the lyrics, “So make the friendship bracelets / Take the moment and taste it.” These lyrics have inspired the phenomnom.

One certain Kansas City Chiefs Tight End, Travis Kelce, tried to hop on the trend. Kelce hosts a podcast titled New Heights with his brother, Jason Kelce. On the podcast the two discussed Travis Kelce’s attendance to the show.

On the podcast, Travis Kelce said, “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, so I was a little butt-hurt 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.” While never specified verbally if it was his jersey or phone number, it is indicated that the bracelet featured Kelce’s phone number.

This story went viral online with thousands catching it. A few months later, Kelce joined The Pat McAfee Show where he said, “I threw the ball in her court,” he said, “I told her, “I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead.’”

Then, the world broke out. On September 24, the Kansas City Chiefs played the Chicago Bears and the one and only Taylor Swift was in attendance. Swift sat with Donna Kelce, also known as Mama Kelce, in the Kelce suite.

The Chiefs then won 41-10 over the Bears before Swift rode off with Kelce in their getaway car.

Following the game, Kelce’s jersey sales increased by 400%, reported by Fanatics. Additionally, his Instagram account gained 383,000 new followers.

The following week on Oct. 1, the Chiefs faced off against the New York Jets. Swift attended once again with some close friends including Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

Taylor Swift and Kelce’s relationship inspired a viral Tik Tok prank. Users would prank football fans in their life by saying that Taylor Swift put Kelce on the map. The victim would negatively react saying Kelce is already famous.

However, this prank inspires a more serious conversation that is lined with truth. The NFL is very American based. When football is mentioned anywhere else in the world, they think of soccer.

On the other hand, Taylor Swift is a global sensation. In a very real way, Kelce is gaining popularity because of Swift. Football fans knew who Kelce was, but everyone knows Swift. Now, Kelce is reaching new heights.

While his fans are raging against this possibility, Kelce knows this is true.

On his podcast New Heights, he and his brother converse following the first Swift spotting at the Chiefs vs Bears game. In the episode, Jason Kelce asks if Travis’ life has changed much. Travis Kelce says, “Yeah, I’ve noticed a few things like paparazzi outside my house and [stuff] like that for sure.”

Before, this action was unknown to Kelce’s everyday life. Meanwhile, Swift has dealt with this issue for years. Kelce recognizes Swift’s fame unlike her ex-boyfriends or Kelce’s fanbase.

Manchester native Makenna Orrick shares her thoughts on the subject writing, “I think Taylor Swift’s new, upcoming relationship with Travis Kelce’s a great way for her to re-enter the dating scene. A man who is passionate and successful in a field completely different from Swift’s is a perfect match.”

“Being with someone who understands the pressure that fame and success brings will be beneficial for both parties. He also seems to be the only boyfriend of Swift’s who recognizes her for who she is.”

For now, Kelce and Swift’s relationship is still unconfirmed. Now the world waits to see how the two progress.