Tony Gonzalez Credits Taylor Swift for Expanding Football's Fanbase
Former NFL star Tony Gonzalez commends Taylor Swift for revolutionizing the football scene by captivating a fresh and diverse fan base through her relationship with Travis Kelce
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NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez praised Taylor Swift for shining a light on America’s favorite pastime through her romance with Travis Kelce.
Gonzalez, 47, expressed his support for Taylor's involvement with the NFL during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday, November 30. According to Gonzalez, Taylor has succeeded in attracting a whole new audience to the NFL, which he believes has been a great thing. He also shared an amusing encounter he had at the airport, where he was surprised to be approached by a 10-year-old girl who asked if he knew Travis Kelce.
Gonzalez had a 17-season career in the NFL before retiring in 2013. He played as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs for 12 seasons before moving to the Atlanta Falcons. Throughout his career, Gonzalez achieved 14 Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pros, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Recently, Kelce made headlines by reaching 11,000 receiving yards in the fewest games as a tight end, breaking a record previously held by Gonzalez. The former teammate congratulated Kelce on social media, writing "Congrats and well earned my friend! Keep it going @tkelce." via X (formerly Twitter).
Gonzalez wasn't the only one celebrating Kelce's achievement. Swift, 33, also showed support by "liking" an Instagram post from the Kansas City Chiefs about the milestone. The post praised Kelce as the fastest tight end to reach 11k receiving yards and the only player in franchise history to do so.
Kelce and Swift were first linked in September when the Grammy winner accepted Kelce's invitation to see him "rock the field" at Arrowhead Stadium in a game against the Chicago Bears. Since then, Swift has attended four Chiefs games during the 2023-2024 season. Kelce has also been seen supporting Swift as she travels internationally for the record-breaking Eras Tour.
Taylor Swift David Eulitt/Getty Images
The couple's relationship has captured global attention, with people ranging from fellow celebrities to the NFL expressing their enthusiasm for their flourishing romance. Even Swift's closest friends are thrilled to see the pair together.
"Close friends of Taylor and Travis believe they are an incredible power couple, and they are overjoyed for them," a source told We exclusively in October. Later that month, another source added that Swift's inner circle believes she and Kelce are "in love."
As for Swift and Kelce, they have "very detailed plans" to stay close while "she’s on tour and he has games," according to a third insider who spoke to Us earlier this month. "They don’t want to start their relationship off with big gaps [in time spent apart]. They’re trying to be as much like a regular couple as possible."
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This probably involves bringing their families together during the holiday season. Although Taylor has already met both of Kelce’s parents and the NFL star has spent time with the singer’s father, the couple is still looking forward to spending time with each other’s families.
Taylor and Travis have each spent time with the other's family, so it's natural that they would want their parents to meet,” said a fourth insider to Us. "Both of them have a strong bond with their parents, and it's essential for their families to get along well."
