The Chiefs are vying to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the Patriots in 2003 and 2004, but that hasn't been the biggest story of their season to date.
Instead, it's been all about the sports and entertainment world's new power couple: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
The Chiefs tight end and the global pop icon emerged as a potential couple early in the 2023 NFL season. Things surrounding the two reached a fever pitch once Swift attended the Chiefs' Week 3 win over the Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. She sat in a suite next to Travis Kelce's mother, Donna, and cheered on Kansas City while clad in Chiefs gear.
From there, things only got more and more serious surrounding Kelce and Swift, who eventually confirmed they were in a relationship. Most recently, they shared an on-field kiss after the Chiefs won the 2024 AFC championship game, and it appears that Swift is set to attend Super Bowl 58, much to the NFL's delight.
The romance is now entrenched, but NFL fans — and, of course, Swifties — may still be wondering exactly when the two actually met and began hanging out together.
MORE: Travis Kelce lauds 'ballsy' Taylor Swift for appearing at Chiefs game
Here's what you need to know about Kelce and Swift's relationship and how it all began with a failed friendship bracelet exchange.
How did Travis Kelce meet Taylor Swift?
It isn't clear exactly when Kelce and Swift met, but it appears that they did so as a result of a story that Kelce shared on his "New Heights" podcast.
Kelce explained in July that he had attended a performance of Swift's "Eras Tour" at Arrowhead Stadium during the NFL offseason. While there, he had planned to participate in the friendship bracelet exchange that has become customary among Swift's fans — known as "Swifties" — during her shows.
Kelce's reason for wanting to participate? He wanted to gift one of the bracelets to Swift.
"I received a bunch of them being there," Kelce said of the bracelets, "but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it."
Anyone know how to get a bracelet to @taylorswift13? … asking for a friend 😅 @BWWings
— New Heights (@newheightshow) July 26, 2023
New episode premieres NOW!
Tap in: https://t.co/lmQ8fLH1IO pic.twitter.com/4yYr8HSb0m
Ultimately, Kelce's efforts to do so were rebuffed. He explained that left him "a little butthurt," especially since the singer couldn't meet him after the show.
"I was disappointed because she doesn't talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings," Kelce said.
At the time that podcast was released — July 26 — Kelce had still not yet met Swift. So, it appears that the two of them began "quietly hanging out" at some point after that story went viral.
Since then, their original missed connection blossomed into a full-blown relationship.
MORE: How 'On The Map' Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce TikTok trend began
Taylor Swift friendship bracelet lyrics, explained
For those wondering about the origin of Swift's friendship bracelet tradition, it unsurprisingly traces back to one of her songs.
Fans adopted the practice of wearing and exchanging friendship bracelets after hearing her song "You’re on Your Own, Kid." The song mentions friendship bracelets in passing while encouraging people to live in the moment.
Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned / Everything you lose is a step you take
So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it / You’ve got no reason to be afraid
Those lyrics may not seem like much, but Swifties adopted the practice and rolled with it. That has turned bracelet exchanges into a popular side activity at Swift's concerts while others have made lucrative businesses selling simple bracelets to Swifties.
As mentioned, Kelce participated in the exchange. So have many other celebrities, including Selena Gomez, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Flavor Flav and Joey King, to name just a handful. People.com has a more comprehensive list of celebrity participants for those curious about them.
Given how quickly the tradition caught on, it's no surprise that Kelce tried to use a friendship bracelet to connect with Swift. It may not have worked right away, but ultimately, that move sparked a romance between the two.
