By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberFew have benefitted more from the relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift than the Kansas City Chiefs.
The team has seen a spike in television ratings, merchandise sales, ticket sales, and social media engagement thanks to the 14-time Grammy-winning pop star — but it wasn’t by design.
During a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan revealed that he and the rest of the members of the organization made sure when the couple started dating not to take advantage of Kelce’s high-profile relationship.
More News: Josh Allen Incident Could End in NFL Punishment for Steelers’ Patrick Queen
Loading twitter content...
More News: Deion Sanders Under Fire for Colorado’s Massive Financial Loss
“I told Travis this, like look, ‘We’re going to treat you and your relationship with the same respect that we treat any other player who’s in a relationship.’ We’re not going to monetize it, we’re not going to go out there and go crazy. For a couple years…we never showed Taylor on our big board in our stadium, never.
“It was respectful. We’re not taking advantage of this relationship. I joked with him early on in the first year (of their relationship) we never played a Taylor Swift song in the stadium when she is in the building.”
While the Chiefs were respectful of Kelce’s private life right out of the gate, Donovan also insinuated that the Pro Bowl TE requested the team not draw any attention to Swift so it didn’t create any division between himself and his teammates.
...More News: Dillon Gabriel’s Fiancée Stirs Up New Shedeur Sanders Controversy
“Travis, to his credit, is all about the team, is all about the guys and is all about being part of the team, and not being separate,” Donovan stated. “He said that [playing her songs and showing her on the video board] that separates me. When we are playing a game, when we are in the stadium, it's about us and I want it to be about us.”
Though some expected to see a drop off in Kelce’s production this season given he’s 36 and coming off the worst season of his career since his rookie year, statistically, he’s actually been the team’s most productive pass-catcher.
Through 12 games, Kelce has 59 catches on 78 targets for 719 yards and five touchdowns. Among all TEs, Kelce ranks second in yards, third in receptions, fourth in targets, and fifth in touchdown catches.
More News: Bill Belichick, North Carolina Hit With Brutal News After NC State Defeat
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NFLBen Johnson Sends Clear Warning to Bears Before Facing Packers3 min read
NFLRaiders Saga Takes New Twist With Rumored Pete Carroll Sabotage3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Buy Dallas Cowboys Gear: Shop NFL Jackets and Hoodies, Holiday Gifts and Deals2 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Buy Las Vegas Raiders Gear: Shop NFL Jackets and Hoodies, Holiday Gifts and Deals2 min read
NFLLions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown Shares Troubling Update Before Cowboys Game2 min read
NFLNFL Removes Eagles From Primetime in New Schedule Announcement2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsPentagon Knew Survivors Remained Before Second Caribbean Boat Strike2 min read
NewsExclusive: Democrat Targets Trump’s $175B Immigration Funds for Housing7 min read
For MembersNewsUncommon Knowledge: Will Trump Accounts Pay Off?6 min read
NewsSenators Introduce War Powers Resolution Over Trump’s Venezuela Actions3 min read
NewsVideo Shows F-16 Thunderbird Crash in California3 min read
U.S.ICE Arrests Afghan National in Virginia Accused of ISIS-K Support3 min readTrending
WeatherList of Schools Closed Tuesday as Snowstorm Hits4 min read
TennesseeTennessee Special Election: Behn Teases Another Run After Losing to Van Epps2 min read
WeatherWinter Weather Warning for Texas as Snow to Hit3 min read
RepublicanRepublican Ousted by Democrat in Georgia3 min read
Live BlogNATO Warns Putin: ‘We’re Not Going Anywhere’—Ukraine War Live Updates2 min readOpinion
OpinionPete Hegseth Is Not a ‘War Criminal’ | Opinion6 min read
OpinionLebanon 2.0—Shepherding the Path to Peace | Opinion4 min read
OpinionThe Cost of Detaining Immigrants Working Legally | Opinion5 min read
OpinionProsecuting Congress for Stating the Law: An Impeachable Offense | Opinion4 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Trump Pardons Former Honduran President3 min read
