Taylor Swift’s influence on the NFL has been a hot topic since her high-profile appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games amid her relationship with tight end Travis Kelce. A recent anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic sheds light on how NFL players perceive her impact on the league. According to the poll of 102 players, 72.5% viewed Swift’s presence positively, with only 4.9% considering it a negative influence.
However, the discourse took a dramatic turn when NBC’s Sunday Night Football posted a graphic comparing Kelce’s on-field stats with Swift’s Eras Tour achievements. This sparked controversy, with fans divided over the comparison and its implications.
The Controversial Graphic
To promote Kansas City’s Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Night Football shared a graphic that juxtaposed Kelce’s football stats with Swift’s record-breaking accomplishments since the Eras Tour began on March 17, 2023.
- Kelce’s Stats (Since March 2023):
- 168 catches
- 1,671 receiving yards
- Super Bowl LVIII champion
- Swift’s Achievements (Eras Tour):
- 11 million tickets sold across 152 shows
- $2 billion in ticket sales
- Performances on five continents
The post included the playful caption, “Karma is the numbers on the screen,” referencing Swift’s hit song.
Fan Reactions
The reaction to the post was swift and divided. While some fans appreciated the lighthearted comparison, others found it controversial. Critics accused NBC of drawing unnecessary parallels, with some alleging it made the NFL appear biased toward the Chiefs for the sake of capitalizing on Swift’s popularity.
One disgruntled fan wrote, “Hope you’re aware this post makes it look more probable that games are being fixed in the Chiefs’ favor to benefit viewership from Swifties.” Others called for the post’s removal, with comments like, “Take this down now,” and “Delete this post,” gaining significant traction on Instagram.
Swift’s Absence from Week 14
Adding to the buzz, Swift will not attend the Week 14 game as she performs the final show of her Eras Tour in Vancouver, marking the end of a historic run. This will be a rare game Kelce plays without Swift in attendance, as she has been present for all but one of the six games held in Kansas City this season. Incidentally, the Chiefs have won every game she’s attended, further fueling speculation about her “good luck charm” status.
Kelce, on the other hand, has attended 14 of Swift’s performances throughout the tour, creating a unique synergy between the two stars that has captured fans’ imaginations.
What’s Next for the Chiefs and Swifties?
As the Chiefs face the Chargers in an AFC West showdown, the discussion surrounding Swift’s NFL influence and her relationship with Kelce continues to dominate headlines. With her record-breaking tour concluding and Kelce’s season heating up, the intersection of pop culture and professional sports shows no signs of slowing down.
For now, Swifties and NFL fans will have to wait and see how these dynamics unfold, both on the field and off.