While the debate of whether Taylor Swift put Travis Kelce on the map has long subsided, and thank goodness it has, there shouldn't be a question about how the superstar has brought in a brand new audience to the NFL, because that’s just FACTS.
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Since Taylor and Travis made their relationship Sunday Night Football official during the Chiefs vs. Bears game in September 2023, the NFL has seen an audience explosion. From showing up to various games, and being flashed on the big screen multiple times from kick off to the final whistle, the relationship has been a ratings dream, there’s no denying it.
As we know, the Chiefs eventually made it to the Super Bowl, up against the San Francisco 49ers, and took home the trophy in a thrilling 25-22 overtime victory. And while over 123 million viewers tuned into the 58th annual sporting event, it’s safe to say not all of them did so for the love of the game.
During a recent interview for an NFL Films series, singer, songwriter, and genuine football fan Melissa Etheridge revealed that in February of this year, her family joined her in watching the Super Bowl for the very first time, and it’s all because of Taylor Swift.
"I gotta tell you, last year was the first time my whole family sat and watched the Super Bowl and that included my teenage daughter and my daughter in her 20's," she revealed. "And I tell you, the only reason they sat and watched is doggone Taylor Swift.” Adding, “I got to say thank you to Taylor Swift for bringing in the young girls of America and the world to football."
Etheridge then went on to share her experience of meeting superstar, and how she uses Swift’s confession to her to gain instant credibility with her kids.
"I met Taylor Swift and she was very sweet to me, very nice. She goes, 'you know, my parents took me to your show when I was 11 years old and that's the reason I wanted to play guitar,’” Etheridge recounted, noting, “I use that with my children all the time, it gives me some cred.”
Check out the clip below.