Is Travis Kelce better with Taylor Swift at games? Here are the numbers
It’s been a new era for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, as he’s gone from NFL star to global celebrity, thanks to Taylor Swift.
Ever since Swift showed up alongside Donna Kelce during Kansas City’s Week 3 over the Chicago Bears, football and music fans have wondered how often the pop icon would be seen attending Chiefs games. She would show up to three more games, with the last being the Week 7 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. Since then, Swift has been busy with her Eras Tour resuming in Argentina and Brazil, which included a visit from Kelce in Buenos Aires.
But with the Eras Tour done for the rest of 2023, Swift could be in attendance for the rest of Kansas City’s remaining schedule. Not only will it captivate audiences, but it could also give Kelce a boost in his stats.
Here is how much different his performance has been with Swift cheering him on, vs. when she isn’t around:
Travis Kelce stats with Taylor Swift in attendance
It’s been nothing but good karma for ‘the guy on the Chiefs’ when Swift is in the crowd.
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When Swift is in attendance for a Chiefs game, Kansas City is 4-0 while Kelce has 34 catches for 432 yards (108 yards per game) and two touchdowns. During those games, Kelce snags 12.2 yards per reception.
In those games, the Chiefs have won by an average of 14.8 points, and it’s probably the reason why head coach Andy Reid said Swift ‘can stay around all she wants.’
Here are the games Swift was in attendance for, along with Kelce’s stats that game:
Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears: Seven catches for 69 yards and one touchdown; win, 41-10Week 4 vs. New York Jets: Six catches for 60 yards; win, 23-20Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos: Nine catches for 124 yards; win, 19-8Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 12 catches (season-high) for 179 yards (season-high) and a touchdown; win, 31-17
Travis Kelce stats without Taylor Swift in attendance
Without Swift, the Chiefs are still good, but they haven’t been perfect and there’s certainly a blank space left in Kelce’s results.
When Swift isn’t there and Kelce is playing, Kansas City is 4-2. Kelce has also had some of his statistically worse games without his lover there. His four lowest receiving yard games came with Swift out.
In the six games, Kelce has 36 catches for 300 yards (50 yards per game) and three touchdowns. That also adds up to 8.2 yards per reception.
Those games include when Kelce had season low three catches for 14 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Germany, and when he had a drop and his lone fumble on the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Even after the loss to Philadelphia, Kelce said ‘I’m not playing my best football right now.’
Kelce also hasn’t topped 100 receiving yards in any of the games Swift wasn’t at. The games have also been closer, as the win against the Raiders is the only victory in which Chiefs won by more than one-score.
Will Taylor Swift be at the next Chiefs game?
Swift hasn’t been at a game in more than a month because of her Eras Tour, but since her next concert isn’t scheduled until Feb. 7, 2024 in Tokyo, the pop star can attend the rest of the regular season and some playoff games.
Kansas City’s next game is on ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Green Bay Packers, so Swift could be in Lambeau Field to see her beau again. There hasn’t been confirmation as to whether Swift will or will not be there, and it’ll be something the NBC broadcast will monitor leading up to the game. It could also lead to Swift meeting with decorated Olympian Simone Biles — wife of Packers safety Jonathan Owens — in a moment that could break the internet.