NFL

Trent McDuffie reveals surprising first impression of Taylor Swift

Defensive back Trent McDuffie is now with the Rams, but his time with the Chiefs included meeting pop star and fiancé of Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift.

Defensive back Trent McDuffie is now with the Rams, but his time with the Chiefs included meeting pop star and fiancé of Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift.
JASON MILLER | AFP
Jennifer Bubel
Sports Journalist, AS USA
Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.
Update:

Meeting one of the biggest celebrities in the world can be intimidating. Just ask Trent McDuffie. The former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back recently opened up about the first time he met Taylor Swift, who has become a familiar presence around the team thanks to her relationship with tight end Travis Kelce.

Trent McDuffie reveals surprising first impression of Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, left, and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce walk off the field after the trophy ceremony following the Chiefs' 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)Kansas City Star

"I was nervous" - McDuffie recalls meeting Taylor Swift

According to McDuffie, the moment he first met Taylor Swift was both nerve-racking and surprisingly normal. Speaking in a recent interview, McDuffie admitted he felt a little starstruck at first.

She is a very special woman. Down to earth, genuine,” he said.

Like many people meeting Swift for the first time, McDuffie said he had some nerves walking into the moment. But the pop superstar immediately put him at ease, giving him a “big hug”. What really caught the NFL cornerback off guard, though, was how much Swift already knew about him.

“She knew my name, knew my position, knew football,” he said. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is surreal.’”

For McDuffie, the most surprising part wasn’t the celebrity encounter itself, but rather how normal the conversation felt. Despite Swift being one of the most famous artists in entertainment, he said the interaction felt genuine.

“Being able to have a normal conversation with her, it was really cool,” McDuffie said, describing the experience as something he’ll remember for a long time.

Moments like that have been a common theme for people around the Chiefs organization since Swift began attending games to support Kelce in 2023. Players, staff members and fans have repeatedly noted how approachable she is despite her global fame.

Swift’s relationship with Kelce quickly became one of the NFL’s most talked-about storylines over the past few seasons, bringing massive attention to Kansas City games and the league itself.

While the spotlight often focuses on Kelce and Swift’s relationship, stories like McDuffie’s offer a glimpse of what it’s like behind the scenes, where NFL players suddenly find themselves chatting with one of the world’s biggest pop stars. For McDuffie, the moment left a lasting impression. And judging by his reaction, it’s one meeting he won’t forget anytime soon.

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