Travis Kelce Says Taylor Swift Isn’t Pushing Him To Retire From Football

Romantic relationships require teamwork, which sometimes means, as in the case of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, being all in on your significant other’s other team. Kelce shared this week that the superstar singer is supportive of his day job as tight end on the Kansas City Chiefs, even as speculation about whether he will retire circulates.

Ahead of the Chiefs’ first playoff game this Saturday against the Houston Texans, Kelce sang Swift’s praises as a supportive presence in his life.

In an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show Wednesday, Kelce said he was “enjoying all aspects of life, that’s for damn sure, man. Me and Taylor are happy and I couldn’t be happier to have that confidence and comfort off the field and all the support I could ever ask for in the stadium.”

As for whether Kelce will be back in that stadium next year or if he’ll follow in the footsteps of his older brother and New Heights podcast co-host Jason Kelce and retire, “it changes every single day, man.” While Kelce said that he’ll “finish this season” and the Chiefs’ pursuit of a Super Bowl championship three-peat, a feat no NFL team has ever managed, and reevaluate, Swift is by no means pushing him to hang up his helmet and pads at the end of the season.

“She’s fully encouraging me to enjoy playing this game,” Kelce said. “She loves coming to Arrowhead [Stadium] and coming to the games and cheering for me, so I got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams.”

And, he emphasized, he strives to do the same for Swift, attending as many of her concerts as he can and showing up to support her in her own career.

“I’m the number one Swiftie,” he said, grinning. In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this week, he even invoked one of her songs in response to a question about returning to the field for the playoffs after a few weeks’ rest: “I’m fired up,” he said. “I’m feeling 22 all over again, baby!”

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When McAfee took the opportunity for a little impromptu karaoke and sang, “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22,” a line from Swift’s song 22, Kelce smiled and danced in his chair.

To Smith, Kelce cited his personal relationship with Swift as something of a strong foundation that helps, not hinders or distracts, as some detractors have implied, him on the field.

“That’s the beauty of being in a very strong relationship,” Kelce said. “You get that support to be able to come in and focus on your craft, focus on being the best version of you. That’s why I wanted to be at the concerts supporting her and being there for her, making sure she feels comfortable and supported in everything that she’s doing in life, and I’m as focused as I’ve ever been on my job and being the best player that I can possibly be week in and week out for this team, it’s because I don’t have to worry about things off the field.”