The Taylor Swift Effect: Does The Pop Star Make Travis Kelce And The Chiefs Play Better?

Authored by James Smoglia via RealClear Wire,

It’s a typical Sunday afternoon, with NFL fans all over the country tuning in to watch their favorite teams compete for gridiron glory.  But this season has featured an unexpected weekly element – everybody’s waiting… everybody’s watching… Will Taylor Swift be in attendance when the Kansas City Chiefs play? 

Since rumors have swirled about the pop icon dating Chief’s player, Travis Kelce, fans have noticed a pattern. When Swift is in attendance, the star tight end performs well and the team wins. But, when Swift is absent, Kelce underperforms. Some fans are convinced this “Taylor Swift effect” is real.   

Let’s examine whether Taylor Swift’s presence actually has a cause-and-effect relationship with Travis Kelce’s performance, and the Chief’s success. 

The Background Facts 

There are a surprising number of timelines detailing the Swift-Kelce relationship, but one clear fact is that Swift’s first game-day appearance was on September 24, when the Chiefs defeated the Chicago bears in Week 3 of the NFL Season. Swift was there when the Chiefs defeated the NY Jets in Week 4, but missed the Chief’s week 5…