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1 year ago
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In football circles, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was already well-known.
He's the greatest positional advantage in the crazed world of fantasy football as a common first-round draft pick. Kelce is also well on his way to being a Hall of Famer as an unguardable behemoth.
Kelce was already a transcendent figure in the sports world before the month of September. His outspoken interviews and touchdown celebrations are only dwarfed by his skill.
The 34-year-old missing the Chiefs' season opener against the Detroit Lions seems like forever ago. So does when he faked his injury a week later, turning his limp into a twerk, knowing all cameras in Kansas City were already pointed at him.
Then his level of celebrity ballooned beyond any level just associated with the gridiron. That's what happens when you date Taylor Swift. That's what happens when you date the most popular celebrity on the planet.
Travis Kelce was famous before his romance with Taylor Swift, but his notoriety has exploded
Swift and Kelce have spent plenty of time since their rumored romance began in September
Kelce brought this whirlwind on himself and he admitted as much on his podcast, New Heights, which he hosts with older brother and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
How big the storm surrounding Swift and Kelce's romance has gotten couldn't have been predicted, maybe outside of everything Swift touches these days appears to raise several tax brackets.
The Kelce-Swift circus' next chapter coincides with the biggest game of the NFL season, taking place Monday night in Kansas City, with the league-best, 8-1 Eagles coming to Missouri's largest city.
Yes, that same Eagles team with Jason Kelce hiking the ball, a future Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman in his own regard.
Swift's attendance is to be announced. But come on, with how many cameras will be there, is there a shot she misses this with Thanksgiving around the corner?
How Kelce balances his booming celebrity profile, and all the exploits that come with it, is currently in the spotlight.
In trying to be one of Swift's romantic partners she hasn't written a break-up song about, comes with being under a microscope, even by the standards of being one of the biggest stars in America's most popular sports league.
Jason Kelce, Travis' brother, is a center for the Philadelphia Eagles and a future Hall of Famer
Kelce has had a presence near Swift for the last two months, including her shows in Argentina
Travis Kelce was spotted at Game 1 of the World Series in Texas less than 48 hours before Kansas City's game against the Denver Broncos on October 27. He was out until the early Saturday morning hours singing along to Swift's 'Love Story' at a bar.
Of course, the Chiefs got embarrassed that day on the road by an average-at-best Broncos team.
Kelce made a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live as well during a weekend trip to New York City with Swift.
There was also Kansas City's game against the Miami Dolphins in Germany where Kelce looked decent, but not not at his best as his team won 21-14.
As for the Chiefs' bye week separating the contests between the Dolphins and Eagles, Kelce was in Argentina, attending one of his girlfriend's shows on The Eras Tour from a huge stadium in Buenos Aires.
Swift changed her lyrics to honor her boyfriend and also ran into his arms after the show, giving him a huge kiss, well aware of the thousands of cell phone cameras on her at the time.
Every one of his teammates isn't under a microscope and could be as busy during off time as Kelce.
Kelce is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs
Travis and Jason are two years apart in age and have both had long-standing careers in the NFL
Kelce is still in second place in receiving yards this season among tight ends, only behind Minnesota Vikings' starter T.J. Hockenson.
Even with playing in two less games than Hockenson, Kelce has 57 catches this season for 597 yards and four touchdowns. The Vikings' star has 681 yards.
And Monday will be a Super Bowl LVII rematch, a regular-season spectacle akin to, well, a Swift concert.
Donna and Ed Kelce, as well as Andrea and Scott Swift, are reportedly set to be in attendance for the showdown, with Taylor herself unconfirmed.
More camera's will be on the younger Kelce than anyone else at Arrowhead Stadium, his girlfriend included.
In the biggest regular-season game of his career, plenty will be expected of Kelce. And it'll be time to show all of the extra time in the limelight hasn't taken a toll on his play.
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