Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has said it will be an “honour” to play in front of US President Donald Trump at Super Bowl 59.
Kelce, who is dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, will take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans on Sunday (9 February). Trump is set to make history as the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl, where he will be joined by Swift, whom Kelce has been in a relationship with since mid-2023.
‘It’s a Great Honour’
Speaking to the BBC on 5 February, Kelce shared his thoughts on the high-profile guest.
“It’s a great honour, I think, no matter who the president is,” he said. “I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life, you know, and having the president there – it’s the best country in the world, so it’d be pretty cool.”
His teammate, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, echoed similar sentiments, calling it “cool” to have Trump in attendance.
While Trump has not openly backed either team, he hinted at a preference, stating: “There’s a certain quarterback who seems to be a pretty good winner.”
Kelce’s Past Controversies
Kelce’s comments come amid past scrutiny over his support for his brother Jason Kelce, who was involved in a controversy last year. During an interaction with a football fan, Jason responded to a homophobic slur directed at Travis with the same offensive term.
Jason later admitted he “greeted hate with hate”, while Travis defended his brother, saying: “That’s not who you are. I love you, brother. I think you said that perfectly.”
Meanwhile, the Super Bowl itself has often been a focal point for political discussions, with past controversies surrounding artists performing at Trump’s inauguration. Rappers like Nelly faced criticism for participating, with singer Janelle Monáe accusing him of having “sold out.” Nelly defended his choice, saying he would have performed regardless of who was president.
With Swift, Kelce, and Trump all in attendance, this year’s Super Bowl is set to be one of the most politically charged in recent history.
