Four days ahead of the highly anticipated Monday Night Football showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1), defensive tackle Chris Jones unintentionally leaked that Taylor Swift would be attending the game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jones expressed his eagerness to get to know Swift, who is currently dating Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, and hinted at post-game plans. However, a sudden change of plans has taken everyone by surprise.
Swift’s final “Eras” tour show in Rio de Janeiro, initially scheduled for Sunday night, faced a postponement due to a record-breaking heat wave.
Concerned about fan safety after a tragic incident preceding the Friday show, Swift made the decision to prioritize well-being.
She announced the rescheduled show for Monday night through her Instagram Stories on November 18, making it impossible for her to attend Kelce’s game.
Reports suggested that Swift’s parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, had planned to join her at GEHA Field for the matchup, but their attendance remains uncertain.
On the other hand, Ed and Donna Kelce, parents of Travis and Eagles center Jason Kelce, are confirmed to be present as their sons face off.
Travis Kelce reacts to his stats when Taylor Swift is in attendance vs. his stats when he's "left to his own devices." 😂
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 25, 2023
(via @newheightshow) pic.twitter.com/L0RiQjxQyG
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared his perspective on having the world’s most famous singer attend games, emphasizing that it doesn’t feel different for the players.
Mahomes, who has met Swift and appreciates her as a person, downplayed the external hype surrounding the relationship between Swift and Kelce. He highlighted Kelce’s unchanged personality and their close bond, both on and off the field.
In the absence of Swift’s game-day presence, Chiefs fans might be disappointed, considering the notable impact she has had on Kelce’s performance.
Kelce’s stats, as shown by a CBS graphic after the Chiefs’ victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22, reveal a significant difference when Swift is in attendance—99 yards per game compared to 46.5 yards without her.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid welcomed the boost in Kelce’s performance and expressed disappointment over Swift’s unavailability for the upcoming game.
As the Chiefs gear up for Monday night’s clash with the Eagles, they face the challenge of boosting their offense, especially given their 17 turnovers this season. Kelce, leading the offense with 57 receptions for 597 yards and four touchdowns, will be a key player to watch.
Despite the absence of Swift, the team, led by Mahomes, remains focused on achieving an explosive offensive performance, acknowledging the high expectations placed on them.