You Might’ve Missed Travis Kelce’s Cheeky Nod to Taylor Swift After Playoff Win

Travis Kelce made sure to pay homage to Taylor Swift following the Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC divisional playoff win against the Houston Texans on Jan. 18.

By Hayley Santaflorentina Jan 20, 2025 12:37 PM
| Updated Jan 20, 2025 3:49 PM
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Watch: Travis Kelce Makes Cheeky Nod to Taylor Swift After Playoff Win

It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters win a playoff game.

Which is exactly what Travis Kelce made happen on Jan. 18 when he helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to victory over the Houston Texans. In fact, the 35-year-old’s performance—which saw him run down a total of 117 receiving yards and score a touchdown—was so stellar, he had reporters asking him if he was feeling 25 years old again after the game.

To which Travis had the perfect response, sneaking in an homage to girlfriend Taylor Swift.

“22, baby,” the tight end told reporters. “22.”

After all, how could he not when he had the Grammy winner herself in the stands cheering him on. For the occasion at Arrowhead Stadium—which occurred just one day after she stepped out for dinner with her family in New York City—Taylor donned a black and white checked Chanel tweed coat, a black, hooded romper with a chain pearl belt and knee-high boots. She finished off the look with a black purse and matching leather gloves to help keep warm.

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Taylor Swift Proves She's Travis Kelce's Biggest Fan at Chiefs' NFL Playoff Game

During the game, which Taylor attended alongside her mom Andrea Swift, the Red artist also spent time chatting with Travis’ dad Ed Kelce and WNBA star Caitlin Clark, both of whom were also seated in the VIP box.

It should come as no surprise that Taylor’s game attendance had Travis feeling so energized. In fact, the NFL star recently gushed over his relationship with Taylor, noting how being with her helps him be the best he can be.

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“I’m enjoying all aspects of life, me and Taylor are happy,” Travis—who has been dating the music sensation since 2023—said on the Stephen A. Smith Show Jan. 15. “Having that confidence and comfort off the field and all the support I could ever ask for in the stadium.”

He continued, “That's the beauty of being in a very strong relationship is that you get that support to be able to come in and focus on your craft. Focus on being the best version of you."

Travis also noted how the “Anti-Hero” singer has also helped him be the best teammate.

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"I think 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," he continued, "and it's because I don't have to worry about things off the field."

It’s also why Travis made such an effort to attend as many Eras Tour shows as he could in his off season, before the epic tour came to a conclusion at the close of 2024.

"I wanted to be at the concerts supporting her and being there for her,” he explained. “Making sure she feels comfortable and supported in everything she's doing in life."

For more of Taylor and Travis’ best moments, keep reading.

July 2023: So, Make the Friendship Bracelets

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story began in July 2023, when the singer's Eras Tour made a stop at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

As a huge Swiftie, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end caught the show with hopes of giving Taylor a friendship bracelet with his number on it. However, he failed to complete the pass due to her pre-show rituals.

"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," Travis shared on the July 26 episode of his New Heights podcast. "So, I was a little butt-hurt I didn't get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her."

Summer 2023: This Is Him Trying

After publicly recounting his fumble—a move Taylor would later describe as "metal as hell"—Travis decided to shoot his shot and invite the Grammy winner to watch the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium.

"I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court," he shared on The Pat McAfee Show. "I told her, you know, 'I've seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead, you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit.' So, we'll see what happens in the near future."

August 2023: Enchanted to Meet You

Travis was rocking a mustache—which he debuted in August during training camp—when he was first introduced to Taylor.

As he later noted of the era, "That 'stache and the 87 jersey was pretty iconic there for a little bit, and I had it when I met Taylor for the first time."

September 2023: Sparks Fly

By early September, a source close to the situation told E! News that Travis and Taylor were "texting and talking here and there."

"It's been very low-key," the insider explained, "as he's been in season."

September 2023: Cheer Captain

Accepting Travis' invite, Taylor joined the athlete's mom Donna Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium to watch him and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears. After the game, Taylor and Travis were seen packing PDA at a local bar.

Though folklore had it that it was the couple's first in-person meeting, the "Karma" singer later clarified the two had spent a "significant amount of time" getting to know each other beforehand.

As Taylor noted, "We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date." 

October 2023: Team Up

As an indication that the relationship was heating up, Taylor brought her squad—including friends Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Sophie Turner, Hugh Jackman, Sabrina Carpenter and Antoni Porowski—to watch the Chiefs play against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

October 2023: It's Nice to Have a Friend

Another sign that Travis could be The 1? Taylor started bonding with Brittany Mahomes—the wife of Travis' BFF and teammate Patrick Mahomes—in and outside of NFL games.

October 2023: Welcome to New York

The couple took their romance to TV, making a surprise appearance on the Oct. 14 episode of Saturday Night Live. Their Big Apple takeover also included the after-party for the NBC sketch show and a date night at the Waverly Inn.

November 2023: Karma Is Her Boyfriend

During a bye week, Travis traveled down to Argentina to catch the South American leg of Taylor's Eras Tour. Not only did the NFL star bond with Taylor's dad, Scott Swift, at the Nov. 11 show in Buenos Aires, but he also got a special shoutout from the stage.

"Karma is that guy on the Chiefs," Taylor sang, "coming straight home to me."

After the show, the Midnights artist was seen running up to Travis backstage and greeting him with a passionate kiss.

December 2023: Speak Now

Taylor addressed the lavender craze surrounding her appearances at Travis' games.

"I'm going to see him do what he loves, we're showing up for each other, other people are there and we don't care," she told Time. "The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you're seeing someone."

 

December 2023: You, Who Charmed Her Dad

The music superstar turned Travis' Dec. 17 game into a family affair, bringing her dad to cheer on her man.

January 2024: All the Midnights

Taylor and Travis spent their first New Year's Eve together, sharing a romantic kiss when the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1.

January 2024: Chosen Family

Continuing to bond with Travis' family, Taylor hung out with his brother Jason Kelce and sister-in-law Kylie Kelce at the Chiefs' game against the Buffalo Bills.

January 2024: Saved by the Perfect Kiss

Taylor joined Travis on the football field when the Chiefs won the AFC Championship, a victory that cemented the team's spot in the 2024 Super Bowl. The couple shared a celebratory kiss before exchanging the L-word.

"Tay, I'm gonna enjoy with the guys," he told her. "I love you—so much it's not funny."

 

 

February 2024: Super Bowl Champs

The pair locked lips on the field after Travis led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory on Feb. 11, 2024 in Las Vegas.

February 2024: TikTok Official

Taylor posted footage of Travis on social media for the first time Feb. 12, poking fun at how she took her parents clubbing with the athlete after the Super Bowl.

June 2024: Instagram Official

Taylor's first Instagram pic featuring Travis was a selfie of the two with Prince William and his and wife Kate Middleton's eldest kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte backstage at the singer's Eras tour show at Wembley Stadium in London.

June 2024: Travis' Eras Tour Stage Debut

While attending his seventh Eras tour concert, and second show at London's Wembley Stadium, the NFL star joined his girlfriend onstage as a backup performer during her performance of "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart."

September 2024: Back in the Game

Taylor joined Travis for the Chief's first game of the regular 2024-25 season and appeared to re-enact a PDA moment from October 2023 in this photo shared by Chariah Gordon, who is pictured with her boyfriend, Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

September 2024: Wedding Date

The two attended model Karen Elson's wedding to Electric Lady Studios owner Lee Foster in New York City.

September 2024: U.S. Open Date

The next day, the pair attended the men's singles final match at the U.S. Open.

October 2024: Double Date

The two stepped out for a double dinner date with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in NYC.

December 2024: Empire State of Mind

The pair stepped out for two back-to-back dates in New York City over the last weekend of 2024, matching outfits both times.

March 2025: Off-Season Adventures

The pair spent the NFL off-season together, enjoying a snowy vacation to Montana with sportscaster Erin Andrews.

July 2025: Instagram Hard Launch

Travis posted his first pics with Taylor on Instagram in July 2025, including an adorable shot of them at dinner—which subtly revealed their phone lockscreen pics of one another.

August: 2025: Taking Their Romance to New Heights

Self-described New Heights superfan Taylor made her debut on Travis and Jason's podcast in a nearly two-hour-long special episode Aug. 13. In addition to very candidly detailing their life together—in and out of the spotlight—Taylor also revealed her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, set to debut Oct. 3.

August 2025: It's a Love Story, Baby Just Said Yes

More than two years after Travis' podcast shoutout heard 'round the world, Travis and Taylor announced they are engaged. Making a cheeky reference to her song "So High School." the two captioned the Aug. 26 Instagram post featuring their engagement photos, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married."

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