The NFL’s first couple is Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift. The country’s most famous singer has brought a Hall of Fame tight end from national acclaim to international superstardom – and the league has taken notice.
It’s not an accident that the league showcases the two whenever possible, celebrating Swift and the onslaught of fans that come with her. She’s undoubtedly good for the game, but it has made Kelce the butt of a few more jokes in the process.
He didn’t make life any easier for himself when recent photos surfaced of Kelce after a swim, exposing his exceptionally hairy back.
The photo went viral, reaching every corner of the football world, including Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
"God bless Taylor Swift for being good with that," Kirk told E! News. "That's awesome. Good for her."
Cousins has long had a good sense of humor, although his mild-mannered nature makes him a surprise contributor to the Kelce conversation. He quipped that it was a matter of genetics. Given the athleticism that has made him a future Hall of Famer and the durability that has kept him among the league’s elite as he enters his age-36 season, bad back hair may be the shortest stick he drew.
Cousins doesn’t have elite (or even average) athleticism, nor is he quite as accomplished as Kelce. He doesn’t, however, have to deal with that coat of fur.
"Thankfully, I don't have to deal with that, but I'm in a locker room a lot," he said. "That's just a part of life. It is what it is."
Both Cousins and Kelce are entering what could be their final NFL seasons. Kelce has seen a decline in production and has accomplished more than enough to retire happily. A multi-million-dollar media deal and his relationship with Swift only add to the reasons to retire.
Cousins, meanwhile, was benched for first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. in 2024. For now, he remains a second-string quarterback and a first-team mentor as he awaits a potential trade or release just a season into his four-year deal.