Travis Kelce, born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, began his career in the National Football League after being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft as the 63rd overall pick. Paying tribute to his brother born in 1987, Kelce adorned the number 87 jersey.

Kelce’s early years saw rapid success as he was named to his first Pro Bowl –– an annual event held by the NFL featuring the league’s star players –– in 2015, marking the beginning of his journey as one of the NFL’s standout players. Kelce’s ability to consistently surpass the 1,000 receiving yards mark in seven consecutive seasons created an unprecedented standard for a tight end.

During the 2020 season, Kelce set a league record for tight ends with an impressive 1,416 receiving yards. Despite the Chiefs returning to the Super Bowl, they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Undeterred, Kelce continued his stellar performance in the following season, catching a career-high 12 touchdowns. The Chiefs once again advanced to Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, where they faced the Philadelphia Eagles.

Throughout his career, Kelce’s achievements have been nothing short of remarkable, earning him recognition as a nine-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, and a key contributor to the Kansas City Chiefs’ two Super Bowl victories in 2020 and 2023. His impact on the sports world, however, is not limited to the football field –– Kelce’s relationship with mega popstar Taylor Swift has yielded unexpected impacts.

Kelce and Swift’s romantic relationship, officially announced in Oct. 2023, commenced as early as July. The connection began when Kelce tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet during her tour. In September their public appearances started, highlighted by Swift surprising Kelce at his Kansas City Chiefs game on Sept. 24 and leaving with him afterward. The mutual support was evident, with Swift regularly attending Kelce’s games, and Kelce joining her at the Eras Tour. Their New Year’s Eve celebration in Kansas City marked another shared milestone.

The intertwining of their personal and professional lives has seamlessly blended their hearts and expanded their fan bases. This connection has notably influenced sports, evident in the remarkable surge in Kelce’s jersey sales since September. His popularity has skyrocketed, with a staggering 400% spike in sales across the Fanatics network of sites.

Despite the positive impact their relationship has had on the sports world, the Chiefs are facing a performance slump this season. As of Dec. 12, the Chiefs had lost four out of their last six games. Speculations link their struggles to the “celebrity-relationship curse.” which suggests that pro athletes experience setbacks when in relationships with high-profile celebrities. The biggest A-list celebrity that has been a proponent of this supposed ‘curse’ is reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has left a trail of disgraced NBA and NFL stars in her wake.

While their romance has been positive, recent reports indicate that Swift and Travis Kelce are currently navigating challenges in their relationship. These obstacles stem from the demands of their respective careers, with Swift preparing for her Eras Tour starting in Tokyo on Feb. 7, and Kelce deeply involved in the NFL playoffs with the Chiefs. Despite the strains of a long-distance relationship, Swift and Kelce are reportedly committed to getting through this challenging period together.

As of Sunday night, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 27-24, in a riveting game coming down to key plays in the fourth quarter. With both Jason Kelce and Taylor Swift in attendance, as well as the iconic ‘Mama Kelce,’ Travis Kelce had five catches for 75 yards  and two touchdowns. Does this comeback prove that the “celebrity relationship curse” is a myth, or will Kelce lead the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowls?