Former football player and coach Kevin Dungy is disgruntled with singer Taylor Swift‘s effect on the NFL.
The Taylor Swift effects became a thing after the musician, who is dating footballer Travis Kelce, began to make appearances at his games.
In the meantime, rumors have swirled that Kelce and Swift plan to get engaged over the summer of this year.
Coach Claims Taylor Swift Is ‘Disenchanting’ NFL Fans
Speaking with Fox News, Dungy said that the Taylor Swift effect is hurting the NFL rather than bettering it.
The female musician has made multiple appearances at Chiefs games to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and is frequently highlighted during these moments. This has led to a reported 63% increase in female viewers ages 18–49 for the team and the tripling of ‘Chiefs’ web searches and Chiefs sales on Stubhub.
Despite all these positives, Dungy feels Swift is the reason why many people are no longer interested in viewing football. He believes her presence at games is “disenchanting” NFL fans by diverting attention from the on-field results.
“That’s the thing that’s disenchanting people with sports now,” Dungy said about Swift’s romance with the Chiefs tight end, per the news outlet. “There’s so much on the outside coming in. Entertainment value and different things that’s taking away from what really happens on the field.”
Taylor Swift’s Appearances At Chiefs Games
Since beginning her relationship with Kelce, Swift has been to at least nine of his football games, attracting plenty of attention during the broadcasts. She first appeared at a home game on September 24, 2023, between the Chiefs and the Chicago Bears, in which Kelce scored a touchdown. His team also won the game 41-10.
Following that, Swift has made appearances at his matches, often accompanied by renowned friends and connecting with other Chiefs’ family members like Donna Kelce and Brittany Mahomes. Recently, her dad Scott joined her for a game outside of Boston, and for the team’s Christmas Day game, both of her parents and brother Austin tagged along.
Swift is anticipated to be present at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night as Kelce’s Chiefs take on the Dolphins in the wild-card round, despite the potential for record-breaking low temperatures during the game.
Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Plan To Get Engaged This Summer
Several days ago, rumors swirled that Swift and Kelce were considering an engagement. According to a source, the plan was to make it official over the summer, around their first anniversary in July.
The source also mentioned that it didn’t happen during the winter holidays because “they don’t want it to seem like it’s rushed insanity.”. Similarly, the source noted that Kelce wouldn’t pop the question on Valentine’s Day for the same reason.
“Taylor and Travis discussed it and there is a plan,” the insider claimed, per Page Six.
In December, reports also circulated, revealing that Kelce had already spoken with Swift’s father, Scott, about his plans to propose to the “Bad Blood” crooner. A source close to Kelce claimed, “Scott has been asked for his blessing and has wholeheartedly given it, and Travis has been talking to friends about a ring.”
Travis Kelce Supported The Singer After Her Fan’s Death
While Swift and Kelce have been filled with mostly positive moments, their relationship faced a downtime when a Swiftie died while attending the singer’s Eras Tour stop in Brazil in November.
The said fan, Ana Benevides, died shortly after her arrival at a hospital after going unconscious twice at the event.
At the time, a source shared that the death of the fan was challenging to talk about for the singer. The insider also claimed that the singer was “completely beside herself” but luckily had Kelce as her “huge support system” for Swift.
“She is so grateful she’s had Travis. He’s been a huge support system for her right now. Her family has been there, but it’s different to have a boyfriend to lean on,” a source told Page Six.
In honor of the fan, Swift shared an emotional post, saying she was “overwhelmed by grief” and that she felt the loss deeply.
