If Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift ever do get married, don’t expect them to honeymoon at Niagara Falls. The couple received a predictably unfriendly welcome in nearby Orchard Park on Sunday as Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs escaped with a 27-24 win over Buffalo – but not before Swift, Kelce’s family, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced taunts from the notorious fanbase known as the Bills Mafia.
In fact, that’s why Kelce celebrated one of his two touchdowns on the day by making a ‘heart’ symbol with this hands and gesturing up at the crowd. ‘I had to spread the love baby, you’ve always got to spread that love, baby,’ Travis told brother Jason on their New Heights podcast. ‘There was a lot of hate pulling up to that stadium… understandably, it’s a football game.
‘Did it get a little disrespectful? 1,000 percent. I’m not going to say [what] because that’s what they want, I’m not going to relay it. Some things were said about the family, some pretty inappropriate things were said about Pat Mahomes. It was pretty whack. I get it, coming into a hostile environment. I just wanted them to know it isn’t mutual… I don’t hate you guys like you hate us. It’s all love, baby.’
Taylor Swift, right, and Brittany Mahomes react during the third quarter of Sunday’s game
Things didn’t get much better for Mahomes afterwards. The reigning Super Bowl MVP was forced to dodge snowballs on Chiefs’ sideline towards the end of Sunday’s win following days of show showers in western New York. Things might be a bit better on Sunday in the AFC Championship, where Baltimore-based Swifties are eager to see the pop star, so long as her appearance comes with a Chiefs loss.
The top-seeded Ravens will host the defending champions for the conference title and a slot in February’s Super Bowl. Although the game itself features a highly-anticipated matchup, the prospect of Swift gracing M&T Bank Stadium with her presence to support Kelce creates a different sense of anticipation for some fans.
Kelce doing the heart sign to his brother Jason, surely 🫶😂😂 pic.twitter.com/NOsHFtEbdD
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) January 22, 2024
A few members of Swift’s enormous fanbase told CBS Baltimore that their local ties will prevail over their musical idol come Sunday afternoon. However, they admitted that it will not be an easy task. ‘I bleed purple and black,’ said Taylor Swift fan Kayla Keimig. ‘Like, I am a die-hard fan.’ ‘The last time it happened, I was in elementary school and I remember those pep rallies and getting together. I feel like a kid again,’ Keimig recalled. ‘I’m going against Miss Swift, and it doesn’t feel right, but I have to.’
‘I am excited for Taylor to be there. I hope we get to see her there. I hope she has a great time,’ Swiftie Jessica Gehrke added. ‘I hope Baltimore gives her the best hospitality and then I hope we send them home.’
Bills Mafia members call out Taylor Swift on Sunday in Orchard Park en route to a Chiefs win
Swift has been present at majority of Kelce’s game since the pair first stirred dating rumors in September. During Kansas City’s playoff win in Buffalo on Sunday, Swift cheered on from the VIP suite where she met Travis’ brother Jason and his wife Kylie for the first time.
During the regular season, Kelce met Swift halfway by flying to Argentina during a bye week to watch the 12-time Grammy winner on her Eras tour. This led Ravens and Swift fan Reina Twellman to believe that Swift will undoubtedly be on cheerleader duty for Sunday’s game. ‘For sure, she’s going to be there to support her man,’ Twellman insisted. ‘She is so proud of Travis and he is so proud of her. If he is going all the way to Buenos Aires to watch her in concert, she is for sure coming to Baltimore.’
Swifties in Baltimore expressed their excitement to see Taylor Swift while backing the Ravens
To her fanbase’s delight, the NFL has leaned heavily on Swift’s presence during Chiefs broadcasts. However, the general NFL fanbase appears split over the popstar’s effect on the gameday experience. Fans in Buffalo showered Swift with boos upon her arrival on Sunday. On the other hand, teams such as the Denver Broncos used Swift’s prominence to troll the Chiefs. The Broncos memorably played Swift’s 2014 hit ‘Shake It Off’ throughout Empower Field at Mile High after defeating Kansas City in October.
The Chiefs’ title defense continues to stay on the road as they face a serious threat the Ravens led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. Baltimore lead the AFC with a 13-4 record before taking down the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs. Baltimore and Kansas City will kick off at 3:00pm ET on Sunday for the AFC title while the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers tussle for the NFC crown at 6:30.
