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18 Oct 2023

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Jokes He Deserves Credit for Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Romance: ‘I’m Just Saying!’

Amid Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s blooming romance, Chiefs coach Andy Reid joked that he deserves some bragging rights. After all, he knew the pop star first.

“I knew her from Philadelphia, her dad was a big NFL fan,” Reid said in a recent episode of Donovan McNabb’s OutKick. “So I had met her when she was real young, and her dad.”

Swift and Kelce’s love story has been playing out in front of the whole world in recent weeks, fueled by the “Anti-Hero” singer’s string of appearances at Chiefs games (where she’s often seen sharing a box suite with the tight end’s parents). Shortly after she originally broke the internet by attending her first game at Arrowhead Stadium in September, Reid quipped in a post-game press conference that he had set the pair up before quickly walking away.

“I joked about setting Kelce up, and, you know, I’m just saying!” Reid recalled Tuesday (Oct. 17), laughing.

“She’s a good girl, she’s into it,” he added. “We’re glad she’s here.” 

Reid is far from the only NFL pro with a claim to fame regarding the pair, though. Long before Kelce and Swift started dating, sports commentator Erin Andrews had taken to her podcast Calm Down, which she co-hosts with Charissa Thompson, to publicly ask the “Karma” musician to “please try our friend Travis.”

“Take us up on this — go on a date with this guy,” she’d added in the August episode, which dropped not long after Kelce first confessed that he’d tried unsuccessfully to give Swift his phone number at an Eras Tour show.

After reports surfaced that he and the 12-time Grammy winner may be dating, Kelce himself commented under one of Andrews and Thompson’s posts, “?? You two are something else!! ???? I owe you big time!!” 

Andrews recently opened up about her role in getting the pair together on TODAY, joking that she’s “the new Bumble.” “He’s got a glow to him,” she added as she reacted to photos of Kelce and Swift holding hands. “That’s a glow up, girls. He looks fantastic.”

Watch Andy Reid talk Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce below:

17 Oct 2023

Sportscaster Al Michaels Is All About Taylor Swift’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ Cameo: ‘We Love It, Man’

NFL fans seem to have mixed feelings about all the coverage Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s relationship is getting across various sports broadcasts, but Thursday Night Football announcer Al Michaels is all for it.

“We love it, man,” Michaels told Jimmy Kimmel on Monday night, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Swift attended last week’s Thursday night game between Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, once again making headlines for sharing a suite with Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, and hugging Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“We had to be judicious,” Michaels told Kimmel about figuring out how best to address Swift’s presence on the Prime Video broadcast. “We had the game last Thursday night in Kansas City. We knew she’d be there. So how much do you show her? She’d been on twice, and football fans were going, ‘Enough.’ But we were praying she’d come into the booth and sing for us,” he said with a laugh.

Kimmel played a clip of Michaels fumbling his words while trying to describe Swift on the broadcast, as he settled on calling her Kelce’s “good buddy and girlfriend.”

“So is she his good buddy or his girlfriend, Al?” Kimmel said, ribbing the announcer. “You can’t be both!”

“You know, you’re doing a game like that, I know the Internet’s gonna blow up,” Michaels said. “Page Six is waiting for whatever I say. You know what I really wanted to say? ‘Fiancee.’ I didn’t because I figured Travis would beat me up at the end of the game. … Or [Swift] would have beat me up.”

In the end, Michaels and company wanted to make sure football came first in the broadcast. “It’s hard because people tune in to watch a football game,” he said. “I’m not doing Access Hollywood.”

Following Thursday’s game, Swift and Kelce confirmed their long-rumored relationship by attending the Saturday Night Live afterparty over the weekend hand-in-hand. (Find a full timeline of their relationship so far here.)

Watch Michaels’ Kimmel appearance below:

17 Oct 2023

Cardi B Says WNBA Mascot ‘Put Me to Shame’ With ‘Bongos’ Challenge

Who would’ve thought that a WNBA mascot has some serious moves?

The New York Liberty’s beloved elephant mascot Ellie took TikTok by storm this week by performing the “Bongos” challenge set to the tune of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s latest collaboration. In the clip, the mascot is backed by two dancers as all three flawlessly execute the high-energy choreography from the song’s music video.

Eventually, Cardi herself caught wind of the viral clip and retweeted it, giving her stamp of approval by writing, “Put me to shame …I love it.”

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“Bongos” is Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s second collaboration following their record-breaking “WAP,” but Cardi previously revealed that the new collaboration is not meant to be a part two. “I wonder how people are gonna react to this vibe because they’re really, like, expecting ‘WAP,’ like, ‘oh, here they go again talking this and that,’” she told DJ Whoo Kid during his Whoo’s House podcast. “We are talking a little, you know, about some p—y, but not like ‘WAP’ type of stuff.”

The track peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the tracking week of Sept. 8 – 14, “Bongos” launched with 16.8 million official U.S. streams, according to Luminate, leading to a No. 3 entrance on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart and yields Cardi B’s 14th top five effort and Megan Thee Stallion’s seventh such hit on the list. The song also sold 20,000 downloads in the same period and debuts at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales list. 

17 Oct 2023

Green Day & Latto Join ‘Thursday Night Football’ Programming as Headliners for ‘Amazon Music Live’ Season 2

Amazon Music Live is continuing its Thursday Night Football programming throughout the fall, and Amazon Music revealed its upcoming string of star-studded headliners.

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Hosted by 2 Chainz, Amazon Music’s weekly livestreamed concert series after Thursday Night Football will feature Peso Pluma as the performer on Oct. 19 and Green Day on Oct. 26, before Latto headlines on Nov. 2.

“We created Amazon Music Live to bring sports and music fans together on Thursday nights for a brand-new, can’t-miss event celebrating new music after the biggest game of the week,” Ryan Redington, GM of Amazon Music, previously said in a press statement. “Available to fans around the world on Prime Video and Twitch, AML became a massive new stage for artists to share their culture-defining new music after Thursday Night Football, and this year we’re going even bigger.”

The latest season of Amazon Music Live has already featured A-list stars like Ed Sheeran, Lil Durk, Feid and more. The performances are broadcast live from Los Angeles and air on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch at 9 p.m. PST on Thursdays.

For even more content, fans can tune into the Amazon Music Live pre show hosted by journalist Gia Peppers, pop culture host Natasha Alexis Martinez and NBA personality Christian Crosby. The preshow broadcast features interviews, special guests, and other surprises, and will air on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 8 p.m. PST.

17 Oct 2023

Dolly Parton to Perform Thanksgiving Halftime Show at Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders Game

Nothing says Thanksgiving like and Dolly Parton. The music legend is set to headline The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show on Nov. 23, when the Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

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“Wow! What an honor to get to kick off The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign with the halftime show during the Dallas Cowboys game this Thanksgiving,” Parton said in a press release, per Entertainment Tonight. “Those Red Kettles have long been a symbol of hope for our friends and neighbors who are facing hard times. My goal is to encourage everyone who can to donate and support their neighbors in need. Every small act of generosity helps, and together, we can all love our neighbors this holiday season and beyond.”

The show, which aims to raise awareness and funds for The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, will feature songs including Parton’s biggest hits as well as new tracks off her upcoming Rockstar album, due for release on Nov. 17.

The Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game against the Washington Commanders will take place on Thursday (Nov. 23) at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET. Visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org to learn more about donating.

17 Oct 2023

Lance Bass Holds Up ‘Not Taylor Swift’ Sign at NFL Game: ‘In Case Anyone Was Confused’

Lance Bass made sure that no one at the Cowboys-Chargers game on Monday (Oct. 16) got their expectations too high. After SoFi Stadium alerted the crowd that a star was in the midst and showed the *NSYNC band member on its jumbotrons, Bass held up a sign clarifying that he wasn’t one of the NFL‘s most famous recent guests: Taylor Swift.

“Not Taylor Swift,” read Bass’ handwritten sign, which he held up to the cameras as he waved to the thousands of fans in attendance.

The singer shared a video of the moment on Instagram, showing how SoFi played his band’s iconic song “Bye Bye Bye” over the speakers. “In case anyone was confused,” he captioned the post. “#LookWhatYouMadeMeDo #GoChargers ! #NotTaylorSwift #MNF”

Bass’ sign poked fun at the pop culture craze surrounding Swift’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, with whom she was photographed twice holding hands over the weekend in New York City. The “Anti-Hero” singer has shown up to three of Kelce’s games so far, and is often shown by NFL cameras sharing a box suite with the athlete’s mom, Donna Kelce.

And while there are millions of Swifties who would love to see the pop star’s face appear on jumbotrons at any given NFL game, many of Bass’ fans assured him that they’d be just as excited to see him in the stands. “Honestly I would be more excited at seeing Lance Bass then Taylor swift ?” commented one fan.

“Lance…you’re the Taylor Swift of 20 years ago,” added another.

In fact, Swift just might be one of those fans. In September, she gushed over her love for *NSYNC at the VMAs after the band reunited onstage to present her with an award. “I had your dolls,” the “Karma” musician told the guys. “Like, are you doing something? What’s going to happen now … They’re going to do something and I need to know what it is!”

Soon after the awards show, Bass, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone announced plans to release their first full-band song in 20 years. “Better Place” arrived Sept. 29 as part of the soundtrack for Trolls Band Together, which aptly focuses on a boy band reunion.

See Bass’ video below:

13 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift Wraps Brittany Mahomes in a Big Hug While Cheering on Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game

Brittany Mahomes is living every Swiftie’s dream. At the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Denver Broncos Thursday (Oct. 12), Taylor Swift was spotted wrapping the 28-year-old former soccer player in a big hug as the two cheered on their Chiefs boys: Brittany’s husband, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Swift’s rumored boyfriend, tight end Travis Kelce.

The sweet moment came midway through the game’s second quarter, when Kelce caught a perfect pass thrown by Mahomes that set Kansas City up for a first down just a few yards away from the end zone. Seconds after the play was completed, NFL cameras panned up to Swift’s private box suite in Arrowhead Stadium, capturing the pop star as she excitedly embraced Brittany, who banged on the glass supportively.

Thursday’s game marks the third time the pop superstar has shown up to a Chiefs game, having previously earned fanfare for her appearances at the Chiefs-Bears and Jets-Chiefs games this season. And, as NFL broadcasters pointed out at the Broncos face-off, Kansas City hasn’t lost any of the games the “Anti-Hero” singer has been to. (That might not be saying much, though, given that the reigning Super Bowl champions have only lost one game of six so far.)

The pop star and Brittany have been spotted sharing suites at Chiefs games in the recent past, and the two reportedly went out to dinner in New York City along with Blake Lively and Sophie Turner a couple weeks ago. Their budding friendship comes amid rumors that the 12-time Grammy winner is dating Kelce, who’s been open in the past about his crush on Swift.

The Chiefs-Broncos game (which Kansas City won 19-8) came less than 24 hours after the world premiere of Swift’s Eras Tour concert film in Los Angeles. The musician hit the red carpet solo, posed for pictures and greeted fans, joined at the event by stars such as Beyoncé, Maren Morris, Simu Liu, Mariska Hargitay and more.

Watch Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes cheer on the Chiefs below.

12 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift Is Back in Kansas City to Watch Travis Kelce’s Chiefs vs. Broncos Game

Taylor Swift is back in Kansas City.

One day after her Eras Tour film had its star-studded premiere in Los Angeles, the superstar was spotted heading to Travis Kelce‘s suite on Thursday night (Oct. 12), rocking a Kansas City Chiefs windbreaker and a black miniskirt with black heeled boots. In a TikTok posted by the NFL’s official account, Swift is escorted to the suite for the Thursday Night Football game between the Chiefs and Broncos, while waving to cheering fans.

This is the third Chiefs game Swift has attended over the past month, with the first being on Sept. 24, when the Chiefs faced off against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. The pair left the stadium together, as seen in a clip that sports reporter Jarrett Payton shared on X. Kelce and Swift were then spotted riding off together in his convertible, according to photos acquired by TMZ.

The second game was on Oct. 1 in New Jersey, when the Chiefs played the New York Jets. She arrived with a group of famous friends, including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

Kelce’s ongoing courtship of Swift began back in July, when he tried (and failed) to hand her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it during her Eras Tour stop in Kansas City — at his Arrowhead Stadium home field.

See her arrive at the stadium below.

@nfl welcome back ? #taylorswift #kansascitychiefs #nfl ♬ original sound – NFL

12 Oct 2023

Here’s What Rich Paul Had to Say to Travis Kelce About Rumored Taylor Swift Relationship

Rich Paul knows a thing or two about dating a musical superstar, but isn’t worried that Travis Kelce will find his way amid his ongoing rumored romance with Taylor Swift.

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Paul, who has been dating Adele since 2021, said on Fox Sports‘ First Things First talk show, that he believes the Kansas City Chiefs tight end already “knows what to do” — they are from the same hometown, after all. “Here’s the thing, Travis Kelce is from Cleveland,” he said. “I don’t have to give him any advice. We’re born with this, so he knows what to do.”

However, he did note that Kelce “can read” his memoir Lucky Me if he needs any further advice. “Travis,” he said, “read Lucky Me!”

Earlier this week, Paul sat down with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, he opened up ever so slightly about his relationship with the “Easy on Me” singer. “She’s been great, I think she would agree that we’ve definitely helped each other,” the father of three said. “I’m in a good space, we’re in a good space. Happy. She’s superb… She’s been great for me. We’ve been great for each other.” Again stressing that his personal life is “not for the media,” when King asked if she should refer to the Grammy-winning singer as “Mrs. Paul” the next time she sees her, Mr. Paul said, “you can say whatever you want.”

12 Oct 2023

Las Vegas Aces Up 2-0 Over New York Liberty In 2023 WNBA Finals

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2023 WNBA Finals - Game Two

The 2023 WNBA Finals was thought to be a slugfest between two elite squads that would potentially go for the entire length of the series. However, the defending champion Las Vegas Aces are up 2-0 in their best-of-five series against the New York Liberty after a lopsided win on Wednesday (October 11).

Led by A’Ja Wilson, who notched a double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds, the Aces routed the Liberty 104-76 despite hope that New York’s star players would likely bounce back from the Game 1 loss on Sunday (October 8). As it stands, the Aces are one game away from repeating as the WNBA champions and would be the first team since the 2001-02 Los Angeles Sparks to win back-to-back titles.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon expressed admiration for her team’s execution and play in toppling the Liberty with relative ease.

“The character of this team and their absolute buy-in to the person to the left or right’s success is authentic,’ Hammon said in a postgame press conference as reported by the Associated Press. “And it’s tough to deal with when you share the ball and people are skilled and competitive. They were good tonight. They don’t leave me speechless very often, but they executed defensively, offensively shared it – everything we’ve been asking them to do.”

Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello congratulated the Aces on their win.

“Vegas is playing their best basketball at the moment,” Sandy Brondello said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence, you see the chemistry that they have. And for us, we haven’t taken the steps forward, we haven’t shown it. We’re disappointed, very disappointed, because we’re a way better team [than] what we showed.”

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals heads back to New York on Sunday (October 15) with the Liberty hoping to extend the series and snatch back momentum. To do so, the team will need more heavy lifting from stars Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart.

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Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty