Taylor Swift chose Arrowhead Stadium over the Emmy Awards on Monday night, turning up to watch Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs open the NFL season against the Denver Broncos. She was seated next to Tom Cruise, and it marked the first time she had seen Kelce play since the couple married over the summer.
Swift’s absence from the Emmys in Los Angeles was not a huge shock. Her concert film, “The Eras Tour: The Final Show,” had been nominated for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded), but the winner in that category had already been announced at the Creative Arts Emmys earlier this month, with “The Muppet Show” taking the prize.
The Emmys still played off the idea of Swift showing up. The broadcast included a pre-taped bit with the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” cast, led by host Mariska Hargitay, trying to figure out whether she would attend. Swift appears at the end of the segment, though not as herself.
“Maybe she’ll do one those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host,” Swift’s character says.
Instead of the Peacock Theater, Swift was back in the stadium where her relationship with Kelce first started to take shape. After she performed at Arrowhead Stadium, Kelce tried and failed to hand her a friendship bracelet as a fan.
He later posted on social media inviting her to come watch him play, and Swift accepted for a 2023 game against the Bears. From there, the relationship grew and eventually led to their wedding on July 3 at Madison Square Garden.
Jason Kelce talked about the ceremony on ESPN’s pregame show, calling it memorable from start to finish.
“The ceremony was gorgeous,” Kelce’s brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce said on ESPN’s pregame show. “They did such an incredible job, Adam Sandler officiated it in a very Adam Sandler, beautiful way. From then on, it was a party.”
Adam Sandler was the surprise officiant, and Stevie Nicks performed in front of a guest list that included Bradley Cooper, Zoë Kravitz, Hugh Grant, Ethan Hawke, Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Chris Rock, Steven Spielberg, retired quarterback Tom Brady and several of Kelce’s teammates.
It has been a busy summer for the newlyweds, even with Swift off the road. Kelce has also been expanding his business interests, including buying a small share of David Blitzer’s stake in his hometown Cleveland Guardians.
Kelce had been the subject of retirement speculation after last season, when the Chiefs finished 6-11 and his close friend and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore ligaments in his left knee. Instead, Kelce returned for a 14th season, and Mahomes recovered in time to take the field against the Broncos as Kansas City looks to bounce back from its first losing season since 2012.
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