Ed Sheeran is thinking out loud about how his friendship with Taylor Swift influenced his unlikely NFL fandom.
In a crossover Us never knew we needed, the 34-year-old musician was a guest on the Thursday, July 10, episode of Kylie Kelce‘s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, discussing his favorite collabs, tips for girl dads and his upcoming album, Play. When asked whether he’s ventured into the world of “American football” over the years, Sheeran revealed his go-to team — and how Swift, 35, played a role in helping him find them.
“I’m a Titans fan,” he said. “I moved to Nashville for Taylor’s Red Tour in 2013 and I got a place there. I went to Walmart to buy bits to move in and I just bought some pajamas. And then when I got home, I was wearing the pajamas. And when someone was around, they were like, ‘Oh, you’re a Titans fan?’ I was like, ‘Guess I am.’”
Sheeran continued, “Since then, Titans. And you know, it’s very similar to my soccer club back home. They’re always the bridesmaid — actually, I wouldn’t even say that they’re a bridesmaid. They’re invited to the wedding. They’re there.”
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While his team might not be the luckiest, Sheeran added, “What’s lovely about the NFL is anything can happen.”
Sheeran’s friendship with Swift dates back to 2012 when their first duet, “Everything Has Changed,” appeared on her album Red. He joined Swift on the North American leg of her Red Tour throughout 2013, and the pair have since collaborated on hits like “End Game” and “The Joker And The Queen.”
Like Sheeran, Swift has also found herself diving deeper into NFL culture. She attended her first Kansas City Chiefs game in September 2023, confirming her relationship with boyfriend Travis Kelce. The pop star has since made two Super Bowl appearances while cheering on the Chiefs.
Travis, 35, and the Chiefs lost the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles — Kylie’s hometown team — in February. Before Swift sparked her romance with the tight end, her family had loyalty to the Eagles as a fellow Pennsylvania native — something Jason Kelce hasn’t let Us forget.
“What are we doing?” Jason teased on a December 2023 episode of the brothers’ “New Heights” podcast after Swift’s dad, Scott, was spotted wearing Chiefs gear. “You’re gonna let this man’s devilishly good looks and relationship with your daughter sway you from a lifetime of fandom, Scott? Ridiculous.”
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Travis quipped, “Got him over to the good side, baby,” joking that he convinced the Swift family “one by one” to join Chiefs Kingdom.
For the past two years, Swift has been a staple at Arrowhead Stadium — and the upcoming NFL season will likely be no different. Before Travis hits the field, the couple have been enjoying quality time together out of the spotlight.
“They’re enjoying some R&R after working their butts off, making the most of their time off. They’re fully living their best lives,” a source exclusively told Us in April.
