Kansas City Chiefs coach Dave Merritt has shared some insight into the once-private romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
While fans have been treated to several public displays of affection during the pop star’s many attendances at NFL games, Merritt says a lot had been going on behind the scenes before their relationship became public.
Speaking on an episode of the podcast The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac, the coach revealed Swift had been secretly attending matches well before the media cottoned on.
Watch the video above.
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“When [Taylor] started to come around, it was privately,” the Chiefs defensive backs coach revealed.
“She was coming into the stadiums without people knowing until the camera put a big spotlight on it.”
Merritt went on to say that the rest of the NFL team were in full support of Swift and Kelce’s romance, despite the ongoing criticism on social media.
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He said Swift influenced the team in a “positive way” and that she makes Kelce happy.
“Everybody was excited that Travis was happy. So when my player, my brother, is happy beside me, that helps me and that encourages me,” he added.
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Merritt also pointed out Kelce has been a “different man” since he began dating the Lavender Haze singer – and says Swift’s presence has actually helped the team achieve their goals.
“Because there were so many people that were hating the fact that she was being shown on TV, that you know what, you’re part of our family because you’re now with Travis,” he continued.
“So therefore you’re our little sister or you’re whatever it may be, you’re part of family.”
Swift began publicly dating Kelce in September 2023 and has been seen at several Chiefs games over the past few months.
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The pair began secretly seeing eachother as early as July 2023, with Kelce once revealing he tried to declare his interest in her with a friendship bracelet.
“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,” Kelce said on an episode of his New Heights podcast back in July.
“So, I was a little butt-hurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.”