By DEIRDRE DURKAN-SIMONDS U.S. ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR
Published: 09:24 EDT, 12 August 2025 | Updated: 09:25 EDT, 12 August 2025
Travis Kelce may be one of the NFL's biggest stars, but these days, he's also part of one of pop culture's most-watched love stories.
Since going public with Taylor Swift, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has experienced a surge in media attention — and while it comes with challenges, he's opening up about how he's handling it and why his relationship is worth it.
'You can't block that [attention] out,' Kelce told GQ. 'If someone says something that they don't like about you, you have to be able to understand how you are portraying yourself for them to say that. I don't want anyone to say anything negative about me. Some people don't give a f**k. I'm someone who does care.'
That care extends beyond the football field.
'I do want people to look at me like I'm doing good in the world, I'm influencing and using my platform for the better, being a role model, being somebody that has done it the right way.'
He's well aware of the public perception that can come with being a professional athlete and he's learned to meet it with humor.
Travis Kelce couldn't help but gush about his girlfriend Taylor Swift while gracing the cover of GQ
'I find it funny. I joke about it. It is what it is. I'm just out here living life. I don't necessarily want everyone to think that I'm an idiot…There's always something to learn. Acting like you're the smartest one in the room just isn't the way to go.'
But when it comes to Swift, Kelce gets candid and romantic about what it's like to share the spotlight with her.
'I get to be the plus one. I get to go and be that fan. Because I am a fan. I'm a fan of music. I'm a fan of art. And it's so cool that I get to experience her being that plus one for me on the football field…I feel that same enjoyment every time she comes to my shows.'
Kelce even sees parallels between the woman he's dating and the woman who raised him.
'Their kindness, their genuineness, their ability to say hello to everyone in the room. Their ability to show love and support no matter what. And on top of that, their work ethic. I saw my mother reach goals that she had set for herself, go from being a teller to working all the way up in the KeyBank building. I've seen Taylor do the exact same thing of setting goals for herself and exceeding the expectations and really captivating the world in that regard.'
Kansas City ChiefsTravis Kelce