Travis Kelce took a “very cautious” approach when it came to revealing his relationship with Taylor Swift, even to his family. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was strategic about keeping their romance under wraps, especially during the early stages, as revealed by his brother, Jason Kelce, in a recent appearance on The Pivot podcast.
Jason explained that Travis was careful about sharing details of his relationship with Swift, despite hints that something was brewing. “There was a lead-up to it,” Jason said, referring to an incident Travis shared on their New Heights podcast, where he admitted he had tried and failed to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it during one of her Eras Tour shows last summer. “So, I knew that there was something.”
However, Travis’s hesitation to open up fully was deliberate. “He was very cautious about even telling me or anybody,” Jason added. “The reality is, she is under such a microscope that I think they wanted to make sure everything was done in a way that was respectful to people’s privacy. And I think they are still trying to do that.”
Jason emphasized the delicate balance the couple is navigating, particularly given the immense public scrutiny surrounding Swift. “Even now, I want to be respectful of them and don’t want anybody to feel like I’m violating some sort of private relationship,” Jason said. “It’s really not my place to speak on their relationship, but he is my brother, and I am very happy for him.”
The increased attention has also impacted the Kelce brothers’ lives beyond just the relationship headlines. The popularity of their New Heights podcast skyrocketed after news of Travis and Swift’s romance came to light. As a result, their personal and professional dynamics have shifted. Jason, who retired from the NFL in March after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and joined ESPN as an NFL analyst, discussed how the success of the podcast has influenced his relationship with Travis.
“Whenever you’re in business with family, that is a dynamic,” Jason said, reflecting on their partnership. “Now it’s such a big business—the podcast [New Heights] and all that. But thankfully, Travis and I value who we are as brothers more than any of that.”
Jason explained that while they’ve had to navigate the challenges of working together in a high-profile environment, their relationship as brothers remains the priority. “At the end of the day, all of that other stuff falls under who we are as brothers,” he said. “His love life, his family life, and who he cares about falls above the business side of what we’re doing.”
The New Heights podcast, which launched in 2022, has turned into a massive success, further boosted by Travis’s relationship with Swift. In fact, the Kelce brothers recently signed a $100 million deal with Amazon to house their podcast, cementing their position in the entertainment space. The podcast’s success has also led to multiple endorsement deals and commercials, as well as Travis securing TV gigs, including hosting Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?, a new series coming to Amazon.
Travis’s attempt to connect with Swift initially started with a playful gesture. On the New Heights podcast, Travis revealed that during Swift’s Eras Tour last July, he tried to give her a bracelet with his phone number on it but wasn’t able to meet her. “She preserves her voice before her three-hour show,” Travis said, explaining why their paths didn’t cross that night.
Despite the missed opportunity, word of Travis’s interest eventually reached Swift, and the relationship took off from there. Swift made her first public appearance to support Travis at Arrowhead Stadium during a Chiefs game on September 24, when they played the Chicago Bears. A month later, they went public with their relationship, holding hands in New York City.
As the new NFL season kicks off, fans are eagerly wondering if Swift will make another appearance at a Chiefs game.
With her Eras Tour on a brief break, there’s a possibility she could be at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs’ home opener against the Ravens this Thursday.
Whether she’s in the stands or not, Travis and Swift’s relationship continues to be a topic of fascination for both NFL and pop culture fans alike.
