There was a smaller hysteria when Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift started dating last year. And when one of the music world's biggest stars then appeared in the stands at Kelce's matches, NFL suddenly became the hottest thing not just among those who love American football.
For Kelce, it has also meant a whole new life – and a preseason that didn't exactly revolve around rest and recovery after the victory in the Super Bowl, Kansas City's third in five years, in February.
Appeared on stage
The 34-year-old has flown back and forth across the globe to accompany Taylor Swift on her ongoing world tour "Eras tour". In London, he even appeared on stage for an interlude where he, dressed in a tuxedo and top hat, lifted Swift up in his arms.
My only goal was not to mess anything up. I just didn't want to drop her when I lifted her up on stage, says Kelce in the podcast "Rich Eisen Show".
He has also guested on one TV sofa after another, sold the rights to the podcast "New Heights", which he does with his brother Jason, to Amazon for over a billion kronor and, amidst all this, found time to buy a racehorse – with the fitting name "Swift Delivery".
Friday night, the NFL season kicks off – Kansas City opens against Baltimore – and it sounds like Travis Kelce is actually happy that the "vacation" is over.
I really love American football, and how it takes me away from the rest of life, says Kelce to AP ahead of the season start.
I feel so good about getting to come in here and hone my craft, like trying to understand a new game strategy and trying to perfect it. It gives me meaning.
Pursuing historic victory
He has high expectations for the upcoming season, and dreams of Kansas City becoming the first team in history to win the Super Bowl three years in a row.
And so far, Kelce, who plays tight end, has no plans to retire. His body seems to be holding up, says the American, who will turn 35 in a few weeks.
I'm lucky to have been able to play so many matches. That's why I really enjoy this every day, even if it's just training. Not everyone has had the same luck as me.
Eight teams have managed to win the Super Bowl two years in a row:
Green Bay Packers: 1967 and 1968.
Miami Dolphins: 1973 and 1974.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1975 and 1976 as well as 1979 and 1980.
San Francisco 49ers: 1989 and 1990.
Dallas Cowboys: 1993 and 1994.
Denver Broncos: 1998 and 1999.
New England Patriots: 2004 and 2005.
Kansas City Chiefs: 2023 and 2024.
