Kansas City Chiefs

Some football fans are convinced Travis Kelce went down with an injury Sunday all because Taylor Swift wasn't in the crowd.

In case ya missed it, TK lost his footing on Sunday while the Kansas City Chiefs were up against the Minnesota Vikings ... injuring his ankle after catching a short pass from QB Patrick Mahomes.

While Travis later returned -- and even secured a touchdown -- fans couldn't help but point out Taylor's absence as the reason why he got hurt mid-game.

Folks online chimed in on the so-called "Taylor Swift Curse," with some even calling her impact on Travis the new Madden curse -- a reference to the bad luck that would come to the player who ends up on the cover of the Madden video game each year.

BTW, Swifties quickly came to Taylor's defense, saying the singer wasn't to blame for Travis' ankle mishap ... claiming the artificial turf might've been the culprit instead.

That seemed to get sports fans back on board with Taylor's impact -- with some hoping the uproar would result in the removal of artificial turf on the field.

2:16 PM PT -- Está confirmado, Taylor se ha saltado el partido de hoy. Jim Nantz acaba de decir: "En caso de que te lo estés preguntando, las siete palabras que nunca pensé que saldrían de mis labios en mi carrera, "Taylor Swift no está en el partido". Acabo de ver a algunas personas con el corazón roto en las gradas. Hubo especulación sobre si Taylor iba a asistir hoy, pero parece que oficialmente podemos darla por ausente".

Taylor Swift no voló a Minneapolis este fin de semana para ver jugar a Travis Kelce.

El ala cerrada de los Chiefs está jugando contra los Vikings y es un partido en otro estado, por lo que él y sus compañeros disfrutarán de la brisa de Minnesota. La emisión comenzó y no había señales de Taylor en ningún lugar.

No hay registros de ella en ningún palco privado (como ha sido habitual el último par de semanas). En otras palabras, ella no está allí Swfties.

Eso no impidió que los locutores mencionaran a TayTay de todas formas. Una vez que Travis se mostró en el campo, dijeron que su puntal se asemejaba al de un "paseo Swift" y la mencionaron una vez más un poco más tarde durante el calentamiento.

Uno de los locutores dijo: "Basta de hablar de Taylor Swift, ¿de acuerdo? Este tipo es el mejor tight end en todo el fútbol y está mostrando ser un excelente jugador cada semana".

El propio Travis ha dicho que ya era suficiente de todo este alboroto y que la NFL necesitaba parar.

2:16 PM PT -- It's confirmed, Taylor skipped today's game. Jim Nantz just said, "In case you’re wondering, the seven words i never thought would leave my lips in my career, 'Taylor Swift is not at the game.' There are some broken hearted people I just saw in the stands. She was questionable all week, but it looks like it’s officially inactive for today."

Taylor Swift wasn't about to fly to Minneapolis this weekend to see Travis Kelce play -- which is now obvious in the fact that she's apparently nowhere to be found in the stands.

The Chiefs tight end is playing against the Vikings Sunday, and it's an away game ... so him and his teammates are out in breezy Minnesota here. As the broadcast began, there was no sign of Taylor anywhere -- nor was there any reporting of her being at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Of course, once kickoff got underway ... no cameras panned to her in a private box the way they've been doing for the past couple weeks. In other words, she ain't there, Swfties.

That didn't prevent the announcers from name-dropping TayTay -- they just couldn't help themselves. Once TK was shown walking onto the field, they said his strut resembled that of a "Swift walk" ... and they mentioned her once more a bit later during warmups.

One of the broadcasters said, "There's Travis Kelce, enough of the Taylor Swift talk, ok? this guy is the best tight end in all of football and he's showing up big for his team every week."

That's a little shady -- but by the same token, it reflects what Travis himself has said about all the hubbub ... namely, that it was enough already and the NFL needed to give it a rest.

Many might feel the same ... but the league's been loving all the hype, as have the TV networks that were lucky enough to carry her games. CBS kinda got screwed today ... darn.

Travis Kelce is taking Aaron Rodgers' playful diss in stride ... admitting he thought it was actually funny when the Jets superstar referred to him as "Mr. Pfizer" earlier this week -- but doubling down on his decision to be a vaccine spokesperson.

Kelce addressed AR8's recent comments on the "Pat McAfee Show" with reporters on Friday ... cracking a few jokes of his own as he discussed the whole ordeal.

"I thought it was pretty good," Kelce said at the Chiefs' facility. "I mean, with the 'stache right now, I look like a guy named Mr. Pfizer. Who knew I'd get into a vax war with Aaron Rodgers, man. Mr. Pfizer versus the Johnson & Johnson family over there."

Of course, Kelce is referring to Jets owner Woody Johnson, who is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company.

TK then got real for a second ... explaining his reason for getting the jab.

"I got it because of, you know, keeping myself safe, keeping my family safe, the people in this building. So yeah, I stand by 1000%. Fully comfortable with him calling me Mr. Pfizer."

Kelce -- who celebrated his 34th birthday on Thursday -- was also asked about his recent romance with Taylor Swift and the hype around it ... and he knows he brought all the attention on himself.

Travis Kelce se tomó con calma la broma de Aaron Rodgers, admitiendo que le pareció muy divertido cuando la superestrella de los Jets se refirió a él como "Sr. Pfizer" a principios de esta semana, al mismo tiempo que reafirmó su decisión de ser portavoz de la vacuna.

Kelce abordó los recientes comentarios de AR8 en el "Pat McAfee Show" el viernes, haciendo algunas bromas mientras discutía sobre lo ocurrido.

"Me pareció muy bueno", dijo Kelce en las instalaciones de los Chiefs. "Quiero decir, con el bigote de ahora, me parezco a alguien que se llame Mr. Pfizer. Quién habría pensado que me iba a meter en una guerra de vacunas con Aaron Rodgers. El Sr. Pfizer contra la familia Johnson & Johnson".

Por supuesto, Kelce se refiere al propietario de los Jets, Woody Johnson, que es heredero de la compañía farmacéutica Johnson & Johnson.

Luego Travis se pone serio por un segundo y explica los motivos para tener la vacuna.

"La tengo porque ya sabes, me mantiene a salvo, a mi familia, a la gente en este edificio. Así que sí, la apoyo al 1000%. Totalmente de acuerdo con que me llame Mr. Pfizer".

A Kelce -que celebró su cumpleaños 34 el jueves- también se le preguntó por su reciente romance con Taylor Swift y todo el bombo alrededor de ella, y bueno, él está consciente de que atrajo toda la atención sobre sí mismo.

La madre de Travis Kelce se está abriendo sobre el romance en ciernes de su hijo con Taylor Swift, revelando que ella es una gran fan de la estrella pop.

Donna Kelce conversó con la presentadora Jennifer Vickery Smith en el podcast "Got It From Momma", y discutió una serie de temas relacionados con Taylor, incluyendo sus dos canciones favoritas: "Shake It Off" y "Bad Blood".

Durante el episodio del viernes, Donna también abordó todo el drama que ha rodeado al romance de Travis y Taylor desde que se hicieron públicos hace algunas semanas.

Donna dijo: "Me siento como si estuviera en un universo alternativo. Es algo en lo que nunca pensé que estaría involucrada". Ella mencionó brevemente que su familia ha sido blanco de "haters" que no están contentos con la relación.

La madre de Trav también apareció en 'Today' de la NBC el viernes y Hoda Kotb y compañía le preguntaron cómo ha sido sentarse junto a Taylor en las suites del estadio dos semanas seguidas. Digamos que no fue exactamente una crítica elogiosa, más bien parece que Donna no está segura si emocionarse mucho con la nueva "situación" de su hijo.

También está consciente de que la NFL se está aprovechando muy bien de la situación, por todas las entradas que han vendido para los partidos de los Kansas City Chiefs, a los que ha asistido Taylor para ver jugar a Travis.

En el podcast dijo que su familia le ha dado a la NFL mejor publicidad que cualquier empresa de relaciones públicas, que cobraría un millón de dólares a la liga.

Pero no hay mala sangre con la liga. Donna dice que está feliz por la NFL y agregó: "Bien por ellos. Están recibiendo las ramificaciones de todo".

Travis Kelce's mom is opening up about her son's budding relationship with Taylor Swift ... revealing that she's a HUGE fan of the pop star.

Donna Kelce sat down for an interview with host Jennifer Vickery Smith on the podcast "Got It From My Momma" -- and discussed a range of Taylor-related issues, including her 2 favorite songs: "Shake It Off" and "Bad Blood."

During Friday's episode, Donna also addressed all the drama surrounding Travis and Taylor's romance over the past few weeks since the couple went public.

Donna said, “I feel like I'm in an alternate universe. It’s something I never thought I’d be involved with." She briefly mentioned her family has been targeted by "haters" who are unhappy about the relationship.

Now, Trav's mom also popped up on NBC's 'Today' Friday morning, and Hoda Kotb and co. asked her what it was like to sit next to Taylor in those stadium suites for 2 consecutive weeks. Let's just say it wasn't exactly a glowing review, and more than anything it seems like Donna's hesitant to get too excited about her son's new "situation."

But, she's also keenly aware that the NFL is “laughing all the way to the bank,” with all the ticket sales at games Taylor has attended to watch Travis play with the Kansas City Chiefs.

On the podcast, Donna went on to say her family has given the NFL better publicity than any pricey PR firm, which would charge the league a million bucks.

But, there's no bad blood between them. Donna says she's happy for the NFL, adding, “Good for them. They’re getting the ramifications of everything."

As we reported ... Taylor and Travis started seeing each other several months ago - but they stayed under the radar at first. Now, the lovebirds are out there for all to see as Taylor has shown up at 2 of Travis' football games within the last few weeks.

Taylor Swift está poniendo nerviosos a los fanáticos de la NFL en todas partes. Más recientemente, el temor se despertó en la estrella de los Philadelphia Eagles, Darius Slay, quien le está suplicando públicamente a la estrella pop que se quede fuera del partido que enfrentarán a finales de esta temporada.

El 5 veces Pro Bowler habló sobre la reciente presencia de Swift en los partidos de los Chiefs para apoyar a Travis Kelce, en el podcast Big Play Slay de esta semana. Y tenía un mensaje personal para la cantante de "Anti-Hero".

"Taylor, no vengas al partido, porque parece que traes la energía del triunfo", bromeó Slay en The Volume.

Slay tiene una buena razón para estar preocupado. Los Chiefs van 2-0 con Swift en la tribuna, dominando a los Bears en su primer partido en las gradas y exprimiendo una victoria sobre los Jets este fin de semana pasado.

Los Eagles tendrán una revancha del Super Bowl con los Chiefs el 20 de noviembre en Filadelfia, frente a las cámaras del Monday Night Football, y lo más probable es que Swift esté allí, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que creció alentando a los Eagles.

La presencia de Taylor en los partidos ha sido una bendición para los ratings televisivos. El pasado domingo, el juego de los Chiefs vs. Jets alcanzó un máximo de 29 millones de espectadores y un promedio de 27 millones durante todo el concurso. Esta es la mayor audiencia para un partido regular del Sunday Night Football, de NBC Sports.

Taylor Swift is striking fear in the hearts of NFL teams everywhere -- most recently, the alarm sounded for Philadelphia Eagles star cornerback Darius Slay ... who's publicly pleading with her to sit out their matchup later this season.

The 5-time Pro Bowler spoke out about Swift's recent attendance at Chiefs games to support Travis Kelce during his Big Play Slay podcast this week ... and he had a personal message for the "Anti-Hero" singer.

"Taylor, do not come to the game, 'cause it seems like you bring the energy of winning," Slay quipped on The Volume.

Slay has a good reason to be worried -- the Chiefs are 2-0 with Swift in the crowd, dominating the Bears in her first game in the stands ... and squeezing out a road win over the Jets this past weekend.

The Eagles will have a Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs in Philadelphia on Nov. 20 in front of the Monday Night Football cameras ... and chances are Swift will be there, especially considering she grew up rooting for the Birds.

Taylor’s presence at games has been a blessing for TV ratings -- last Sunday, the Chiefs vs. Jets contest peaked at 29 million viewers and averaged 27 million throughout the contest.

The game was NBC Sports' biggest-ever streaming audience for a regular season Sunday Night Football contest.

Travis Kelce thinks the NFL should pump the brakes with its Taylor Swift coverage ... saying the league is "overdoing it a little bit" when it comes to the pop singer's attendance at his games.

Kelce addressed the league's obsession with his new relationship on the "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason, on Wednesday ... saying he gets why the cameras continue to show Swift on TV, but it's gotten excessive at this point.

"I think it's fun when they show who all is at the game," Travis said. "I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you're watching."

"But at the same time, I think they're overdoing it a little bit for sure. Especially my situation."

Travis explained he understands why the NFL is leaning into the Tayvis craze ... saying he thinks it's just trying to have fun with the situation -- but it's clear he wants the league to chill.

Of course, Swift brought her A-list besties to MetLife Stadium for the Chiefs' road game against the New York Jets ... with Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman joining her in a suite.

The broadcast showed Swift numerous times throughout the game ... and the league has gone full Swiftie on social media -- using her pics and name on its profiles.

Swift's attendance has done wonders for ratings ... with an average of 27 MILLION viewers tuning in to Sunday Night Football.

But if the league is listening to Kelce's comments, there's a chance the NFL's Swiftie era is coming to an end.

Travis Kelce cree que la NFL debe parar un momento con la cobertura de Taylor Swift, ya que han "exagerado un poco" cuando se trata de su asistencia a los partidos, dice.

Kelce abordó la obsesión de la liga con su nueva relación en el podcast "New Heights" con su hermano Jason el miércoles, diciendo que entiende por qué las cámaras siguen mostrando a Swift en la televisión, pero se ha vuelto excesivo en este punto.

"Creo que es divertido cuando muestran quién está en el juego", dijo Travis. "Creo que aporta un poco más a la atmósfera, aporta un poco más a lo que estás viendo".

"Pero al mismo tiempo, creo que exageran un poco, seguro. Especialmente en mi situación".

Travis dice que entiende por qué la NFL se ha sumado a la Tayvis manía. Cree que solo se están divirtiendo con la situación, pero también está claro que quiere que se calmen.

Por supuesto, Swift trajo a sus mejores amigos a MetLife Stadium para el partido de los Chiefs contra los Jets de Nueva York. Estuvo compartiendo con Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, Ryan Reynolds y Hugh Jackman en una suite.

La transmisión la mostró numerosas veces durante todo el partido y la liga ha utilizado sus fotos y nombre en sus perfiles y en las redes sociales.

La asistencia de Swift ha hecho maravillas para los ratings, con un promedio de 27 millones de espectadores sintonizando el Sunday Night Football.

Taylor Swift tiene la oportunidad de hacer tres viajes consecutivos para ver los partidos de Travis Kelce, y el alcalde de Minneapolis está liderando la campaña para que eso se haga realidad este próximo fin de semana, según ha indagado TMZ.

El alcalde Jacob Frey nos dice que él y la ciudad están listos para recibir a TayTay con los brazos abiertos este domingo, que es cuando los Kansas City Chiefs enfrentan a los Minnesota Vikings en un partido por la tarde. Él incluso tiene un mensaje para animarla.

Frey dice: "Todos sabemos muy bien el positivo impacto que tiene Taylor Swift en las ciudades que visita. Minneapolis no es una excepción".

El alcalde tiene buenos recuerdos de su presentación en Minneapolis a principios de este año y añade: "Sus dos conciertos agotaron entradas en el U.S. Bank Stadium en junio y nos llevaron a tener un récord de turistas ese fin de semana, con hoteles y restaurantes del centro repletos, impulsando nuestra economía más allá de lo que imaginábamos".

Por ese motivo, Frey tiene los dedos cruzados: "Si Taylor decide volver a Minneapolis (a veces conocido como Swiftieapolis) este fin de semana, estaremos listos para recibirla. Es posible que tenga que consolar a Travis Kelce después de que los Vikings le ganen a los Chiefs, pero hay un montón de sitios para salir en la ciudad y subirle el ánimo".

Que conste que lo de Swiftieapolis es real. La ciudad literalmente cambió de nombre, aunque solo haya sido por un corto tiempo, así que sí... con su claro conocimiento de la discografía de Taylor es justo decir que el alcalde es un verdadero Swiftie.

La verdad es que cada ciudad de la NFL se sentiría de la misma manera. Taylor ha demostrado que puede atraer audiencias masivas, en términos de atención de los medios y el gasto de los consumidores a través de múltiples industrias, lo que por lo general se traduce en más tráfico y, a menudo, más dinero también.

Los dos partidos de la NFL en los que ha asistido han sido un éxito de audiencia para Fox y NBC, las cadenas que los han televisado. La próxima semana es el turno de la CBS y parece que el alcalde Frey quiere entrar en acción también.

Taylor Swift has a chance to make it 3 consecutive trips to see Travis Kelce's games, and the Mayor of Minneapolis is leading the cheers for her to do so this coming weekend ... TMZ has learned.

Mayor Jacob Frey tells us he and the rest of the city are ready to welcome TayTay with open arms this Sunday, which is when the Kansas City Chiefs play the Minnesota Vikings for an afternoon match-up -- he even has an on-the-nose message to encourage her.

Frey says, "We know All Too Well the positive impact Taylor Swift has on the cities she visits -- Minneapolis is no exception."

The Mayor has fond memories of her tour stop in Minneapolis earlier this year, adding ... "Her two, sold-out concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium in June led to a record-setting tourism weekend including booked-up hotels and packed downtown restaurants... boosting our local economy beyond our Wildest Dreams."

Here's how you know Mayor Frey has his fingers crossed ... "If Taylor chooses to come back to Minneapolis [sometimes known as Swiftieapolis] this weekend, we’ll be Ready For It. It’s possible she will have to console Travis Kelce after the Vikings beat the Chiefs, but there are plenty of great spots across town for them to go on a date and lift their spirits!"

FWIW, the Swiftieapolis thing is real ... they literally changed city's name (if only for a short time), so yeah -- with his clear knowledge of Taylor's catalog -- it's fair to say Hizzoner's a full on Swiftie.

Fact is, every NFL city would feel this way ... as Taylor's proven to have massive appeal in terms of media attention, and consumer spending across multiple industries, that usually translates to more traffic ... and oftentimes, more moolah, too.

The 2 NFL games she's attended have turned out to be a ratings bonanza for Fox and NBC, the networks that televised them. Next week, it's CBS's turn and it sounds like Mayor Frey wants to get in on the action as well.

If Travis Kelce starts going off in the next couple weeks, John Salley says Chiefs fans can thank Taylor Swift for it ... telling TMZ Sports he believes a committed relationship with the pop star will help the tight end's game tremendously.

As for why ... the four-time NBA champion says it's simple -- Kelce spending his time with just one woman going forward this year will free him up to focus way more on ball.

"He now doesn't have to worry about 100 DMs," Salley told us out in Los Angeles this week, "or making sure certain girls got tickets. He can be focused, right?"

"So, he has practice, go to sleep, talk to his girl. That's easier than when you get to be the playboy that he used to be."

And, if for some reason Kelce even thinks about straying from a relationship with the "Love Story" crooner ... Salley made it clear he believes there's just no way her fanbase will let it happen.

"You can't do that," the former Lakers center said with a smile. "Those Swifties got cameras!"

Of course, it's unclear if Kelce and Swift are even looking for something serious ... while the two obviously have some sort of romance brewing -- there's no indication yet whether boyfriend/girlfriend labels are on the horizon.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce ... reality TV superstars??

HIGHLY unlikely ... but if the pop singer and Super Bowl champ ever welcomed the cameras to document their every move, it would become the "biggest reality show ever" -- so says ex-NFLer and "Baller Wives" star Channing Crowder, who tells TMZ Sports the entire planet would tune in!!

"Taylor Swift is worldwide," the former Dolphins star said. "Most reality shows are national. This would play in Australia, this would play in the damn North Pole and everywhere you wanna say -- India, Egypt. Like, it would be the biggest reality show in the history of reality shows."

Of course, celebrity couples have been known to let the cameras detail every part of their lives in the past ... from Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey to Britney Spears and Kevin Federline and more.

Crowder knows what it's like to open his doors for the country to see -- he appeared alongside his wife, Aja, on the VH1 series in 2017.

The Chiefs superstar is no stranger to reality TV either -- people aren't going to let him forget his dating competition, "Catching Kelce" -- but Swift is famous for trying to keep most of her private life out of the spotlight ... so don't hold your breath, folks.

There's no doubt it would be a hit, though ... as fans have been watching their every move after Swift was spotted at Kelce's games the past two weeks.

Speaking of football -- we also talked to Crowder about his gig with "Inside the NFL," which airs Tuesday nights on the CW ... and he said the whole team is amazing.

El público del MetLife Stadium fue bastante "malo" con Taylor Swift durante el Monday Night Football. Los seguidores de los New York Giants abuchearon el anuncio de la nueva súper fan de la NFL, en medio de su incipiente relación con Travis Kelce.

La presencia de Swift en los dos últimos partidos de los Kansas City Chiefs ha sido la gran noticia del fútbol en el último tiempo. La liga se ha sumado fuertemente a la locura, utilizando incluso su nombre e imagen a través de sus plataformas de redes sociales.

Pero los fans de los Giants dejaron claro que estaban hartos del alboroto en torno a Tayvis, cuando una promoción de la película "Eras", de Swift, apareció en la pantalla grande este lunes y causó un montón de abucheos en las gradas.

Como hemos informado anteriormente, las cosas se han ido calentando entre Taylor y Travis en las últimas semanas. Se han reunido en privado en varias ocasiones e incluso salieron juntos después del partido de Kelce contra los Osos de Chicago el fin de semana pasado. Swift incluso mostró algunas expresiones de afecto en una fiesta en Kansas City.

Este domingo, Taylor estuvo en el estadio MetLife viendo el partido de Travis contra los Jets, junto a sus amigos Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, Ryan Reynolds y Hugh Jackman.