Travis Kelce returned to the field for the Kansas City Chiefs' first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, but the 35-year-old tight end could not help his team to victory as they fell 17-20. The loss, however, is not seen as a major indicator for the regular season, with the Chiefs having more work to do ahead of their campaign.
The Chiefs will face the Seattle Seahawks on August 15 and the Chicago Bears on August 22 before opening the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 5, followed by a rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has remained upbeat about the team's prospects, noting that Kelce has lost 25lbs and is in prime form this season. Reid also spoke about Kelce's high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift, who has become a regular at Chiefs games.
Reid revealed he knew Swift and her family before she started dating Kelce, saying: 'My family has been a big fan of hers, and we know her father and mother... Her dad's a huge football fan, so we hit it off with him.' He described Swift as 'arguably the most famous woman in the world since probably the Queen passed away' and praised how she handles her fame.
When asked about a potential wedding toast for Kelce and Swift, Reid quipped: 'Well, there are a few I can't tell.' He highlighted Kelce's charitable off-field work, adding: 'He's done so many good things – all the things he does off the field people don't know about, just helping people out.'
Reid also defended the increased attention Swift has brought to the NFL, particularly among female fans. 'I think it's great. Obviously, women and girls are looking at the game a little more,' he said, linking it to the rise of women's flag football becoming an Olympic sport.
