The playlist during pre-game activities and downtime at Chiefs games did not include a certain artist.
Taylor Swift.
At least that was the case at the six games she attended at Arrowhead to watch her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, play — and that was by design, according to Chiefs president Mark Donovan.
Also, while one of the planet’s most recognizable faces got some screen time on broadcast networks and boosted ratings, she was rarely shown on the Arrowhead video feed.
“From the very first conversation I had with Travis, I told him one thing you can count on from us is we were going to be very, very respectful,” Donovan said. “We’re going to respect your relationship first and foremost.”
That meant not having the team amplify Swift’s presence and letting her be a fan, albeit the most popular one in Chiefs history, with apologies to Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Janelle Monae and many others.
“As much as this is an amazing opportunity … we are not going to do that stuff,” Donovan said.
Swift seemed to want to cheer, curse, swag surf and share football emotions with those around her, which often included Kelce’s mother, Donna, and Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, among other friends — and not be the center of attention.
But the Chiefs had to throw preparations into overdrive for the pop culture icon when they first heard she would attend a game, the Chiefs’ second at home this season, against the Chicago Bears.
“The first time, as you can imagine, was full of meetings with security, police, NFL security, how we’re getting her in, how do you move that kind of superstar and do it safely,” Donovan said. “That was a four-meeting kind of process.”
The Chiefs also worked with Swift’s security team. “Her people are really good, as you can imagine,” Donovan said. “They know how to move her.”
Swift attended six games at Arrowhead. After the Bears, she saw the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, plus the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs.
She also hit the road to see the Chiefs at the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and the playoff games at Buffalo and Baltimore.
Teams hosting the Chiefs wanted to know early in the week if Swift was attending to make their security plans, Donovan said. Swift had probably her most prolonged video board appearance in New England, where she smiled, made a kiss gesture, waved and seemed to mouth, “I wish they’d stop it,” to Brittany Mahomes, sitting next to her.
At Baltimore, where the Chiefs won the AFC Championship Game and qualified for the Super Bowl, Swift wanted to be part of the on-field celebration. She came onto the field with little security, watched the trophy presentation and at one point exchanged some playful finger-pointing with Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
She later found Kelce. They embraced like all the other players and families on the field.
The scene moves to the Super Bowl now, and it remains uncertain whether Swift will attend. She’s performing concerts in Tokyo but could make it back in time for Sunday’s game, which kicks off locally at 3:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. Central Time).
The NFL handles security for the game, but the Chiefs will be ready to do their part. Swift will have a seat in a suite and, if she attends, she’ll be ready to be a fan.
This story was originally published February 8, 2024, 7:00 AM.
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
source: star-telegram
