Chiefs' defensive coach Dave Merritt says Taylor Swift has positively impacted the team and changed Travis Kelce
KANSAS, MISSOURI: Taylor Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce has not only made the NFL star happier but also improved the performance of the Kansas City Chiefs, according to their defensive coach Dave Merritt.
Merritt, 52, spoke about Taylor Swift's role in the team’s success on 'The Sports Shop Podcast With Reese & K-Mac.'
He said that Swift was welcomed as “part of our family” by the Chiefs players and coaches who ignored the haters and supported Kelce, 34.
David Merritt said Taylor Swift 'helped us' during the season
The defensive coach Merritt said that Swift's presence had all excited and that it also affected the team in a way that was not negative.
“I felt like she actually added to what it was that we were trying to do,” Merritt said.
He added that Swift “actually affected the team in a positive way” during their season. "It wasn’t a negative way. Everybody was excited and Travis was happy," he added.
"So when my player, a brother, is happy beside me, that helps me and that encourages me, and so Travis came in there a different man. So, she helped us,” Merritt said.
The Chiefs had a stellar season, winning the AFC West division and reaching the Super Bowl LVIII where they faced the San Francisco 49ers.
Taylor Swift congratulated Mecole Hardman on his game-winning touchdown
Merritt’s comments came after Chiefs’ wide receiver Mecole Hardman shared what Swift said to him after he scored the decisive touchdown in the Super Bowl.
"She was like… ‘Good job, proud of you, good game — man, it was crazy,’” Hardman, 25, recalled on 'The Pivot Podcast,' People reported.
He said that Swift also complimented his hands as “magical” and revealed that he had shown her a card trick before. Hardman said that hanging out with Kelce and Swift was “so cool.”
Taylor Swift was a regular presence at Chiefs’ games for supporting Travis Kelce and the team
Swift and Kelce started dating in August 2023 after meeting at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Since then, the pop star has been a loyal supporter of her boyfriend and his team, attending 13 games in total.
She made her first appearance at a Chiefs game on September 24 when they beat the Chicago Bears at the Arrowhead Stadium.
She was also seen cheering for Kelce at the Super Bowl where the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11. Swift celebrated the win with Kelce and his teammates and posted a photo of them kissing on Instagram.
