Travis Kelce opens up about being Taylor Swift's ‘plus one' — and why he loves it

NBC News

a day ago

Travis Kelce is opening up about sharing the spotlight with Taylor Swift in their relationship and why he enjoys being a 'plus one.'
The couple, who have been dating since 2023, frequently make headlines together, whether they are celebrating after one of the NFL player's games, appearing at one of her concerts or having a date night in New York City. After years of navigating a romance in the public eye, the Kansas City Chiefs star is revealing how the two manage to both enjoy their moments in the spotlight.
'I get to be the plus one. I get to go and be that fan. Because I am a fan,' Kelce said about their relationship in an interview with GQ.
The 35-year-old athlete, who is the magazine's September cover star, continued. 'I'm a fan of the music. I'm a fan of art. And it's so cool that I get to experience her being that plus one for me on the football field. I feel that same enjoyment every time she comes to my shows.'
For the past two years, Swift has shown support for Kelce and his teammates, cheering them on at Arrowhead Stadium alongside a group of her celebrity friends. Cameras occasionally pan to the pop star to see her reaction to a play or capture the couple as they leave the stadium together, often hand in hand.
Later in the interview, he gushed about Swift and pointed out some similarities the Grammy winner shares with his mom, Donna Kelce.
'Their kindness, their genuineness, their ability to say hello to everyone in the room. Their ability to show love and support no matter what,' he said, comparing the two.
'And on top of that, their work ethic. I saw my mother reach goals that she had set for herself, go from being a teller to working all the way up in the KeyBank building. I've seen Taylor do the exact same thing of setting goals for herself and exceeding the expectations and really captivating the world in that regard.'
He's not exaggerating. Swifties (and the world) are fascinated by the icon's every move. Just last night, for example, legions of Swifties stayed up past midnight to see the project she was unveiling. It's a new album, as it turns out, and she used her upcoming appearance on 'New Heights' — Kelce's podcast with his older brother, Jason — to promote it.
It's just a taste of the magnitude of Swift's stardom that has extended to Kelce, too. So, how does Kelce feel about the constant attention he has received since she attended her first Chiefs game in September 2023?
'You can't block that (attention) out,' he says about the added scrutiny. 'If someone says something that they don't like about you, you have to be able to understand how you are portraying yourself for them to say that.'
He hears the comments from vocal critics, and they affect him.
Kelce adds, 'I'm a guy who doesn't want anyone to say anything negative about me. Some people don't give a f—. I'm someone who does care.' The three-time Super Bowl champion wants to be respected, on and off the field.
'I do want people to look at me like I'm doing good in the world. I'm influencing and being somebody that has done it the right way,' he said.
His comments come as Kelce looks to leave behind a summer of jet-setting with Swift and focus on the start of the 2025 NFL season. In July, he gave fans a glimpse into what the couple has been up to this offseason.
He shared a lengthy slideshow on Instagram July 24 that featured multiple photos with Swift, marking the first time he posted pictures of her on his page.
In one photo, he sported a 'Captain' hat while she wore one that read 'First mate.' Other pictures showed the two enjoying a cozy dinner in a restaurant and playing hockey. 'Had some adventures this offseason, kept it 100,' he captioned the post.