'It's a bad look': NFL slammed after Internet spots changed social media layout to honor Taylor Swift amid Travis Kelce romance
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The NFL recently sparked an uproar online after several fans noticed that the official Instagam, X, and TikTok accounts of the National Football League changed their social media layout to honor Taylor Swift amid her romance rumors with Travis Kelce.
The references reportedly came after Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs vs Chicago Bears game in September as well as the Chiefs vs New York Jets game on Sunday, October 1.
The appearances followed Swift's much talked-about ongoing romance rumors with Kelce, which began after a source told The Messenger last month that the duo were "quietly hanging out" during the 'Midnights' creator's visit to New York City.
Taylor Swift supports Travis Kelce during Chiefs vs Bears game
Speculation surrounding Swift and Kelce's alleged new romance continued to make headlines throughout the month of September.
The rumors further intensified after the 'All Too Well' hitmaker arrived at the Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, September 24, to attend the Chiefs vs Bears game.
Swift appeared in high spirits as she supported and cheered on for her rumored new beau during the game. The pop star even wore an all-red ensemble to display her support for Kelce's team.
She was also seen watching the game from Kelce's suite alongside his mother, Donna. At one point, Swift was spotted opening her mouth wide seemingly in response to something Donna said before placing her hand on the latter's shoulder.
Kelce and Swift were also seen leaving the stadium together after the game.
Jarrett Payton, son of NFL legend Walter Payton, shared a video of the duo with a caption that read, "Talk about being at the right place at the right time! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce leaving Arrowhead together after the game."
Talk about being at the right place at the right time! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce leaving Arrowhead together after the game. #Bears #ChiefsKingdom #NFL pic.twitter.com/wrMoDszOme
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) September 25, 2023
Taylor Swift attends Chiefs vs Jets game amid Travis Kelce romance rumors
Swift decided to provide public support to Kelce once again during the Chiefs vs Jets clash on Sunday, October 1.
For her second game appearance, the singer arrived at the MetLife Stadium alongside her A-list entourage, including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Sophie Turner, Hugh Jackman, Sabrina Carpenter, and director Shawn Levy.
A specific moment showing Swift seemingly telling Lively to "look at him" while pointing toward Kelce on the field went viral online and became the highlight of the Sunday.
Another moment which showed Swift lovingly hugging Kelce's mother, Donna, during the game also won over the internet.
The Chiefs' tight end later spoke about the Swift's attendance at his recent games while speaking on the 'New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce' podcast.
taylor + donna hug is complete… now we need to find a way to get andrea and donna to be besties
— dom ☆ (@ev3rhaze) October 2, 2023
pic.twitter.com/DS7glsOsbC
"I just thought it was awesome that everybody in the suite had nothing but good things to say about her," Kelce said.
"To see the slow motion chest bumps, to see the high fives with mom, to see how you know Chiefs kingdom was all excited that she was there, that sh*t was absolutely hysterical and it was definitely a game I’ll remember that’s for damn sure," he continued.
"And then we just slid off in the getaway car at the end," Travis added in reference to Swift's popular song, 'Getaway Car'.
All the times NFL changed their social media layout amid Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance rumors
The National Football League (NFL) also decided to live up to the ongoing hype surrounding Swift and Kelce's rumored romance and the pop star's back-to-back stadium appearances on days of the Chiefs star's games.
In order to honor Swift and her rumored blossoming relationship with Kelce, NFL made some changes to its social media layout and included Swift references on the bio and header of their X, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.
Here's a look at some of the instances of NFL changing their social media layout to honor Swift:
Following Swift's appearance at the Chiefs vs Bears game on September 24, Reddit user @/BuddyCompetitive8445 noticed that the NFL changed their TikTok bio to "9/24/23. Taylor was here," marking the pop star's appearance on the Arrowhead Stadium.
Meanwhile, Reddit user @/Duckitor also noticed that the NFL changed their X bio to "NFL (Taylor's Version)" in reference to the musician's popular re-recorded albums.
The NFL X account altered their header to a picture of Swift loudly cheering for the Chiefs and their tight end, Kelce, alongside the latter's mother Donna during the September 24 game.
The NFL continued to changed their social media layouts after Swift's appearance at the Chiefs vs Jets game on October 1.
Their X account header displayed a collage of Swift's viral expressions throughout the game while their bio read, "We had the best day with you today."
The NFL used a similar image and bio on their Instagram account after Swift attended the October 1 game alongside her celebrity pals.
They also allegedly changed their Instagram bio to "chiefs are 2-0 as swifties" after Kelce's team edged out New York Jets on Sunday, @/NFL_DoveKleiman pointed out on X.
Lastly, NFL also updated the bio on their TikTok account to "10/1/23. Taylor's back" from the previously changed "9/24/23. Taylor was here" to mark Swift's second appearance at a Chiefs' game.
NFL fans tired of Taylor Swift x Travis Kelce taking over game
While Swifties and fans of Swift's alleged budding romance with Kelce had a field day over NFL's changed social media layout's, several of NFL fans expressed their disappointment with the rumored relationship taking over the game.
"Now the official NFL Instagram account says: "Chiefs are 2-0 as Swifties," This is just 12 hours after many fans believe the Chiefs received phantom call help by the Refs against the #Jets on SNF," @/NFL_DoveKleiman pointed out on X.
"No matter how you slice it, it's a bad look. Might as well just bet KC winning the Super Bowl this year... could already be decided," he added.
"At some point this is just a little ridiculous…," one X user said.
"Listen I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan but NFL y’all are too thirsty, you made her your cover photo and quoted her in your bio!" one Swiftie mentioned.
"I don't mind the NFL leaning into the Taylor Swift hype—I get it, she's a megastar with a HUGE fan base, they'd be crazy not to capitalize on that. But their Twitter header and their Instagram bio? This is where it starts to get weird. It's the NFL page, not a TSwift fan page," another added.
"@NFL stop using taylor as your mascot. she is there as a privat person and not your official advertising partner. it‘s disgusting. leave her alone," one complained.
"They're doing too much now," a fifth user commented.
One said, "We get it, they overdo it now," while another added, "This is going to far."
One mentioned, "This is weird," before another said, "I’m done."
Now the official NFL Instagram account says: "Chiefs are 2-0 as Swifties",
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 2, 2023
This is just 12 hours after many fans believe the Chiefs received phantom call help by the Refs against the #Jets on SNF.
No matter how you slice it, it's a bad look.
Might as well just bet KC winning… https://t.co/s1kaDNTq0R pic.twitter.com/hDUfDE04kw
At some point this is just a little ridiculous… pic.twitter.com/MeAtursXf2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 2, 2023
Listen I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan but NFL y’all are too thirsty, you made her your cover photo and quoted her in your bio! pic.twitter.com/1o0rXq4ZKz
— Candace Kaw ➡️ NYCC (@candaceisageek) October 2, 2023
@NFL stop using taylor as your mascot. she is there as a privat person and not your official advertising partner. it‘s disgusting. leave her alone.
— Manuel Braun (@manumelm) October 2, 2023