Travis Kelce Says Engagement to Taylor Swift Earned Him ‘One More Ring’
SAO PAULO—Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, drew laughs from teammate Patrick Mahomes and reporters on Thursday when asked how life has changed since announcing his engagement to pop star Taylor Swift last week.
“I got one more ring out of it,” Kelce joked during a press conference in Sao Paulo ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. “Since I’ve been dating Taylor, life has been fun.”
Kelce added that he enjoys performing “when the lights are bright,” though he did not say whether Swift would be in attendance at NeoQuimica Arena for the game.
Neither the NFL nor Corinthians, the soccer club that owns the stadium, have confirmed whether the pop superstar will attend. Still, several Brazilian outlets reported that local broadcasters are preparing in case she does.
Kelce acknowledged that, because of his fiancée, he has grown accustomed to having “a lot more eyes” on him and said he now understands what it means to “live life on a high.”
Mahomes added with a laugh, “It is a dream, dude.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the extra off-field attention has not affected Kelce as a player, praising the veteran tight end’s commitment to preparation.
“He’s put in a lot of work during training camp and the offseason, and I know he’s eager to get going,” Reid said following the team’s practice at a club in southern Sao Paulo. “Kelce is in a really good place.”
Kelce and Swift made their first public appearance since announcing their engagement last week when they attended a college football game between Nebraska and Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium. The 35-year-old Kelce is a former Bearcats player.
Looking ahead to Friday’s matchup, Kelce said he was excited to play internationally despite the 12-hour trip to Sao Paulo. He, Mahomes, and other Chiefs players noted the energy of local fans who greeted them at the airport.
“We’re trying to take this game worldwide,” Kelce said. “We’ve got a good following here, and that matters.”
Coach Andy Reid added that both the Chiefs and the Chargers feel “privileged to be an ambassador of sorts” for the NFL in Brazil, which is hosting its second-ever league game.
“The fans were unbelievable at the airport—dressed in red and yellow. We know tomorrow night will be wild, and we really appreciate the support,” Kelce said.
During the press conference, he also playfully impersonated Mahomes while recalling the crowd’s welcome. “It was crazy, a lot of fun seeing all the fans there,” Kelce said in Mahomes’ voice. “He had that one coming after telling everyone I didn’t know where Brazil was on a map.”
Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers in the same Sao Paulo stadium, kicking off a season that ultimately took them to the Super Bowl against the Chiefs.
Reid also confirmed that rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons, the 32nd overall pick in this year’s draft, will make his NFL debut on Friday after returning from injury. “It’s a tough assignment, but he’s worked hard to lock down that position and earn the chance to play,” Reid said, noting Simmons will face strong defensive ends in his first outing.
Comments
Post a Comment