Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are helping fathers build closer relationships with their daughters thanks to the Swift-NFL connection.
As you know, the ‘Red’ singer has been dating the NFL star since last summer, having gone public in September after Swift appeared unannounced at a Kansas City Chiefs game.
Ever since, broadcasters and NFL networks have shown Swift whenever she is in attendance for a game, which has caused some backlash from fans about how much she is shown and discussed during the broadcast.
While she has seemingly “pissed off a few dads, Brads, and Chads” this NFL season, other fathers are thanking the pop icon for bringing them closer to their daughters.
Taylor Swift Brings Dads Closer To Their Daughters
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While many NFL dads are bashing the pop icon, one dad from Connecticut says Taylor Swift entering the sports world has brought him closer to his 7-year-old daughter.
“For me, it felt like the Super Bowl, which would be the only other time that anybody would remotely want to sit down and watch football with me,” Keith Stoeckeler told TODAY of his family’s relationship with sports, adding, “It was appointment viewing. It was not just ‘Oh, OK, football’s on. We’ll watch it with you. We want to watch that’.”
But now, football is something his daughter seeks out, thanks to Taylor Swift!
Keith Stoeckeler is by far the only dad who is bonding with his daughter over the NFL as NBC Sports reports that viewership among teen girls has gone up 53% after Taylor Swift appeared at the Kansas City Chiefs vs New York Jets game on ‘Sunday Night Football’ last October.
I actually feel bad for the Brads, Chads and Angry Dads who spent the year complaining about Taylor Swift interrupting their football because I spent the season trading Swift/Kelce memes with my 14-year-old daughter (who previously didn’t care about football) and now it’s like a… https://t.co/re4UHwvKE2
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) January 17, 2024
Other fathers have shared their stories on social media as well, expressing their gratitude for the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift phenomenon.
Kevin Van Valkenburg spoke on the influence the pop icon has had on the sport, expressing, “I actually feel bad for the Brads, Chads, and Angry Dads who spent the year complaining about Taylor Swift interrupting their football because I spent the season trading Swift/Kelce memes with my 14-year-old daughter (who previously didn’t care about football) and now it’s like a fun thing we share? Which is freaking awesome? (Also she loves that I met Jason once.)
Taylor Swift Skyrockets NFL Viewership
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Although many NFL fans may be annoyed by Taylor Swift, the sport sure doesn’t mind, as the viewership and interest in football has skyrocketed this season.
“I think that the Taylor Swift relationship with the NFL is she’s just there to have fun. And what’s been exciting is she’s bringing a whole new set of eyes to this game,” USA Today reporter Bryan West told TODAY.
Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt also spoke out, claiming, “Our female audience has grown by leaps and bounds.”
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to take on the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of NFL playoffs on Sunday. It is unclear if Taylor Swift will be in attendance at this time.