S-W-I-F-T? Taylor Swift mania takes over Chiefs vs. Jets game amid Travis Kelce dating rumors

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The last time Taylor Swift entered MetLife Stadium it was as a performer, the third of three nights she played in the stadium as part of her “Eras Tour” in May.

On Sunday, she was just a spectator, cheering on beau Travis Kelce as his Kansas City Chiefs faced the New York Jets on “Sunday Night Football.”

For the many Chiefs – and Jets – fans in attendance, the rumored Swift-Kelce relationship represented the apex of the hype surrounding the organization's “Winning Era,” a stretch that has included three Super Bowl appearances (two championships) and plenty of victories.

“I’ve never seen this much attention paid to the Chiefs,” said Chiefs fan Josh Mayer, from Reading, Pennsylvania. “Every single TV show is talking about it, which is nice. Every TikTok I’ve seen is all about the Chiefs and how these Swifties are into football. It’s like ‘Oh, this is cool.’”

Mayer, 41, remembers the pre-Patrick Mahomes period when the franchise was hardly worthy of expanded intrigue.

“Now to finally be something and with (Kelce) in the public image? It’s cool,” he said. “And I love all the attention. People who want to jump on? Why not?”

Mayer was walking through the parking lot with his stepdaughter Courtney Bowles. A 16-year-old Swiftie, Bowles was down to go to the game regardless of whether Swift was there.

“I’d be shocked if she was here if she was at the last game,” Bowles said.

Front Office Sports reported earlier in the week Swift would attend the “SNF” matchup. On Saturday, Page Six reported that Swift dined in New York City with Brittany Mahomes and actors Blake Lively and Sophie Turner.

Sure enough, about 40 minutes prior to kickoff, Swift led a star-studded crew that included Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman through a security station near the stadium’s loading dock.

Three hours earlier in stadium parking lot L, Swift’s “Love Story” blared on a speaker system as charter buses unloaded and fans began tailgating. The general sentiment among several “Swifties” in attendance seemed to be that they were in favor of the celebrity couple.

“I think it’s nice she found almost her equal, obviously in a different career, but kind of someone who is career-driven and passionate as he is about their work,” said Joanna Gruenberg, a Long Beach, New York native.

Gruenberg and her friends were considering attending Sunday’s game already, but once the rumors of Swift’s potential appearance began swirling, they were convinced they had to be there.

“Knowing that she might be here solidified the deal for us,” said Katie McGoldrick, another Long Beach native. “But it wasn’t confirmed yet when we bought the tickets. But it made us more excited.

“We’re gonna keep our eyes peeled on the jumbotron. I’m really trying to see her. That’d be nice – make my day.”

Jennifer Steinhilb has been following Swift since she opened for Brad Paisley 17 years ago. The Steinhillb family had one of the better decorations at their tailgate setup, a pink flag that said “Taylor Swift 2024: Save America Again.”

“I’m just happy for her,” said Steinhilb, 34, who’s from Sparta, New Jersey. “She deserves the world.”

One tailgating crew had an entire Swift playlist going, as “Blank Space” turned into “Style” and other hits.

“My one concern is what if he gets nervous in front of her and drops the ball?” said Jodi Cobb, a Kansas City resident and Chiefs fan who traveled for the game.

Lauren Stevko has been a “Kelce girl” for the past six years, she said.

“So I know he’s built himself up,” Stevko, 30, said, “but Taylor just adds to it.”

And how does one become a “Kelce girl”?

“He’s just an attractive guy,” said the Patchogue, New York, native.

Stevko’s friend, Lea Morace, has high expectations for the relationship.

“I kind of believe this one is going to work out,” Morace, 65, said. “They’re going to get married, have children – settle down. It’s gonna happen one, two, three.”

Stevko can support that future. But it’s still early, she said, and they deserve time and space.

“I feel like they’re just figuring it out,” Stevko said. “If it ends up they get married, have kids, sounds great. But they’re humans. Everyone’s following them like a publicity thing – which I get.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Swift, amid Kelce rumors, is Chiefs vs. Jets game's top draw