While Baltimore-based Swifties are hoping to see Taylor Swift, they left no doubt about backing their Ravens for Sunday’s AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The top-seeded Ravens will host the defending champions for the conference title and a slot in February’s Super Bowl. Although the game itself features a highly-anticipated matchup, the prospect of Swift gracing M&T Bank Stadium with her presence to support Travis Kelce creates a different sense of anticipation for some fans.
A few members of Swift’s enormous fanbase told CBS Baltimore that their local ties will prevail over their musical idol come Sunday afternoon. However, they admitted that it will not be an easy task.
‘I bleed purple and black,’ said Taylor Swift fan Kayla Keimig. ‘Like, I am a die-hard fan.’
‘The last time it happened, I was in elementary school and I remember those pep rallies and getting together. I feel like a kid again,’ Keimig recalled. ‘I’m going against Miss Swift, and it doesn’t feel right, but I have to.’
Swifties in Baltimore expressed their excitement to see Taylor Swift while backing the Ravens
Swift has been to 11 of Kelce’s games, including Sunday’s playoff win against the Buffalo Bills
‘I am excited for Taylor to be there. I hope we get to see her there. I hope she has a great time,’ Swiftie Jessica Gehrke added. ‘I hope Baltimore gives her the best hospitality and then I hope we send them home.’
Swift has been present at majority of Kelce’s game since the pair first stirred dating rumors in September. During Kansas City’s playoff win in Buffalo on Sunday, Swift cheered on from the VIP suite where she met Travis’ brother Jason and his wife Kylie for the first time.
During the regular season, Kelce met Swift halfway by flying to Argentina during a bye week to watch the 12-time Grammy winner on her Eras tour. This led Ravens and Swift fan Reina Twellman to believe that Swift will undoubtedly be on cheerleader duty for Sunday’s game.
‘For sure, she’s going to be there to support her man,’ Twellman insisted. ‘She is so proud of Travis and he is so proud of her. If he is going all the way to Buenos Aires to watch her in concert, she is for sure coming to Baltimore.’
MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and the Ravens hope to spoil the Chiefs’ title defense at home
Kelce is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Buffalo after a seven-game drought
To her fanbase’s delight, the NFL has leaned heavily on Swift’s presence during Chiefs broadcasts. However, the general NFL fanbase appears split over the popstar’s effect on the gameday experience.
Fans in Buffalo showered Swift with boos upon her arrival on Sunday. On the other hand, teams such as the Denver Broncos used Swift’s prominence to troll the Chiefs. The Broncos memorably played Swift’s 2014 hit ‘Shake It Off’ throughout Empower Field at Mile High after defeating Kansas City in October.
The Chiefs’ title defense continues to stay on the road as they face a serious threat the Ravens led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. Baltimore lead the AFC with a 13-4 record before taking down the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs.
Baltimore and Kansas City will kick off at 3:00pm ET on Sunday for the AFC title while the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers tussle for the NFC crown at 6:30.