'She helped us': Travis Kelce became a 'different man' after dating Taylor Swift, claims Chiefs coach
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Almost everyone in the inner circle of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift has only goo things to say about the couple. Many have said that it's the happiest they've ever seen them, and they are improving and being more honest than ever.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt is now highlighting the positive impact Swift has had on Kelce and the team altogether. Merritt claimed that Swift had a significant impact on Kelce and made him into a "different man," per Entertainment Tonight.
Also Read: Taylor Swift's nod to Travis Kelce with surprise song mashup on Eras Tour has fans swooning
Coach Dave Merritt claims Taylor Swift made Travis Kelce a 'different man'
In a recent episode of 'The Sports Shop With Reese & Kmac,' Merritt addressed candidly the effect that the Grammy-winning singer has had on Kelce and the team, stating that the team's morale has been positively affected due to Swift's presence.
Merritt praised the 'Shake It Off' singer, 34, and said: "She actually affected the team in a positive way. Everybody was excited that Travis was happy. So when my player, my brother, is happy beside me, that helps me and that encourages me."
The coach mentioned that Kelce "came in there a different man" since Swift started dating the 34-year-old Chiefs tight end in September 2023, adding, "So she helped us."
Merritt remarked, "She won a Super Bowl in her first year in the NFL," alluding to the Chiefs' most recent victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
Swift and Kelce have been openly supportive of each other's careers throughout their budding relationship.
Kelce recently made headlines when he traveled to Australia for the sole purpose of helping Swift at her eagerly awaited Eras Tour stop in Sydney.
Although Swift had a busy schedule that included a packed tour itinerary that included stops in Tokyo and other major cities across the world, she still found time to fly back and support Kelce.
Chiefs team members consider Taylor Swift as a 'part of family'
Taylor Swift was a silent staple at Chiefs games even before the world learned of her developing romance with the Chiefs tight end.
Despite the criticism directed towards her for frequently attending NFL games, Coach Merritt noted that when she initially began to arrive, "it was privately."
"She was coming into the stadiums without people really knowing until the camera put the big spotlight on her," he explained.
Swift's tactful assistance demonstrates not just her sincere concern for Kelce's professional success but also her wish to initially keep their romance under wraps.
The 'Bad Blood' singer was immediately welcomed by the Chiefs' team, who saw her as a member of their extended family.
📷 I Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Backs Coach Dave Merritt on Taylor Swift’s positive impact on Travis Kelce and the team
— Taylor Swift News (@DailyTSwiftNews) February 28, 2024
“She’s part of the family. She’s our little sister. Everybody was excited that Travis was happy. He came in there a different man”
pic.twitter.com/qHueRFXQYY
"Upon meeting her, I felt like she actually added to what it was that we were trying to do," Merritt added.
"Because there were so many people that were hating the fact that she was being shown on TV, that you know what, you're part of our family because you're now with Travis, so therefore you're our little sister or you're whatever it may be, you're part of family."
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gushes over Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance
Kansas City Chiefs Head coach Andy Reid, who knew the singer before her romance with the tight end, is another person who is ecstatic for Kelce and Swift.
In a recent interview with 'Audacy's 610 Sports Radio', Reid revealed that he's known Swift for a longer time than she has known Kelce. "I actually knew her and her family before Trav did," Reid said at the time.
When asked if he was concerned about Swift's ability to handle the attention that comes with dating Kelce, the Chiefs head coach replied: "I met her when she was young, I never worried that she wouldn’t handle it. She handles herself so well and has done so well in her career that I never worried about that."
"I was just happy that they were both happy. Trav never let it be an issue, she never made it an issue. I think she really enjoyed herself watching the games and not having to have the spotlight on her," Reid continued.
"She could just hang out up there and enjoy Brittany [Mahomes] and the crew. I thought it was all positive, a very positive thing," the Chiefs head coach remarked.
Swift is currently in the middle of her Eras World Tour's international leg. She finished her performances in Sydney, Australia, and will begin her tour in Singapore on March 2.
Following her six performances in Singapore, Swift will travel to Paris, France, where she has four scheduled performances.
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