How Chiefs have kept the Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift relationship from being Super Bowl distraction

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is all for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s whirlwind romance.

During an appearance Wednesday on “Fescoe in the Morning” on Audacy’s 610 Sports Radio, Veach explained that Kelce and Swift’s relationship hasn’t been a distraction on the Chiefs’ pursuit of a second consecutive Super Bowl title.

“If you didn’t go online, you would have no idea that he’s in a relationship with Taylor Swift,” Veach said. “[He] doesn’t talk about it, players don’t talk about it.

“You’d think you’d hear the songs at practice and all the guys getting on him, this and that, but there’s such a high amount of respect for each other in this locker room.”

Veach recalled there being “a buzz in the building” when Swift attended her first Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium, a 41-10 win against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 24.

“Honestly, after the first week or two, it never gets brought up, it never gets mentioned,” Veach said. “The only time that we realize it is when we’re looking at our phones during the TV timeout and they have CBS zooming in on Taylor, and you’re reminded that they’re together.

“But Travis is a straight pro and the guys treat him like that.”

Veach also agreed with the hosts that the couple’s romance has been “cool” to see play out after they went public with their relationship in October.

The Chiefs’ GM noted that the two-time Super Bowl champion has been “very diligent the last few months” in terms of taking care of his body, recovery and staying focused.

Kelce repeated a similar message about being focused amidst the heightened attention from his personal life while speaking with the media this week at Super Bowl 2024.

Last month, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Kelce and Swift, both 34, “handled it right” and that their relationship hasn’t been a distraction.

Kelce has been under a microscope leading up to Sunday’s big game when the reigning champion Chiefs face the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.

Kelce was asked about a potential engagement with Swift, as well as his plans for life after football amid rumors he might retire after the Super Bowl.

When asked: “Is there going to be another ring besides the Super Bowl ring if you win this thing on Sunday?” Kelce replied: “I’m focused on getting this ring, and that’s all my mind’s focused on right now,” according to The Sporting Tribune.

Kelce said his plan over the offseason will be “to figure out exactly what I love and what I can latch onto as a career [after football], but has no plans to retire yet.

Veach explained that he’d be shocked if the retirement buzz is true.

“That is not something that I’ve heard directly,” he said. “I don’t buy one bit of that, for what it’s worth. Maybe I don’t know anything, but I would be shocked more than anybody — and I talk to coach every day.”

Super Bowl 2024 kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.