Chiefs President Says Travis Kelce ‘Can Handle’ Attention from Rumored Taylor Swift Romance (Exclusive)

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are handling the Taylor Swift era professionally, team president Mark Donovan told PEOPLE.

Speaking to PEOPLE at MetLife Stadium before the Kansas City Chiefs-New York Jets game, Donovan says his team isn’t worried about the media frenzy surrounding Kelce, 33, and Taylor Swift’s rumored relationship, and whether it will become a distraction for Tim .

Taylor Swift spotted with arm around Donna Kelce in suite during Chiefs-Jets game

“Travis is a smart team player,” Donovan says of the Chiefs tight end. “He can handle it and he was very professional.”

Travis Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs team president Mark Donovan.

Courtesy of the Chief of Kansas City

Despite the attention surrounding Swift and Kelce’s rumored romance, Donovan insists the NFL star is “focused on the right things and doing them the right way,” he says. “Our locker room has the maturity, leadership and respect to handle it.”

Brittany Mahomes joins Taylor Swift and her celebrity friends in the suite during the Chiefs vs. Jets

Travis Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs team president Mark Donovan.

Courtesy of the Chief of Kansas City

Rather than a distraction, the Chiefs president, who has been in the role since 2011, says the extra focus on Kansas City games “has been fun and good for everyone involved.” Viewership skyrocketed when Swift attended her first game on September 24 at Arrowhead Stadium.

According to FOX Sports, the game was the most-watched telecast of the week on any network, with 24.3 million viewers. Despite a 41-10 victory over the Chicago Bears, the game especially captivated female viewers, ages 12 to 49, the network reported.

Taylor Swift reacts during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.

David Eulitt/Getty

Donovan says the “real benefit” is having more young female fans tune in to the NFL in hopes of seeing Swift on the air.

Aaron Rodgers at Jets game for first time since season-ending injury, talks to Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes

In his first public comments since being spotted with Swift on his weekly podcast New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Kelce said “it’s my personal life and I want to respect our lives,” adding that future episodes of the podcast will focus exclusively on NFL-related content.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

“I know I’ve brought all this attention to myself. Right, I’m the one – I did the whole friendship bracelet thing and told everyone how hurt I was because I didn’t get to meet Taylor.”

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Kelce again addressed the fan frenzy surrounding him and Swift during the team’s press conference on Friday, saying he was “learning” to deal with the “paparazzi just taking pictures from everywhere” after photographers began waiting for him at his home in Kansas City .

The tight end added that he understands it’s all part of the territory that comes with Swift’s level of fame. “At the same time, it comes with it. It comes with it. You have a lot of people who care about Taylor, and for good reason.”

Travis Kelce says he’s ‘on top of the world’ amid Taylor Swift relationship rumors

The NFL star went on to say that he “just has to keep living, learning and enjoying the moment” as he and Swift enjoy getting to know each other on the public stage.

Kelce also assured reporters that his possible romance with Swift will not be a distraction during the NFL season. “At the end of the day, I’ve always been pretty good at compartmentalizing and staying focused in this building, so I’ll continue to do that,” he said.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education