So Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are not dating

Kansas City Chiefs formidable tight end, Travis Kelce, not only made headlines with his stellar performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars but also with the rumors surrounding his connection to global music sensation Taylor Swift. As Kelce and his team secured a victory, winning with a score of 17-9, the NFL's commentators couldn't resist sprinkling their play-by-play with cheeky Taylor Swift-themed puns.

During the game, when Kelce hauled in his first touchdown pass of the season from star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, announcer Ian Eagle seized the moment to deliver a quip that delighted viewers: "Kelce finds a 'blank space' for the score!" This marked just the start of a string of Swift-inspired references that brought a smile to the faces of football enthusiasts nationwide.

Ahead of kick-off, Rich Eisen from the NFL Network added to the entertainment value with a running commentary rife with Swift references as Kelce readied himself to take the field. Eisen humorously mused, "You saw it on Thursday night when Travis Kelce wasn't in there; it left a 'blank space.' But I think he returns today and proves to be the 'anti-hero.' He never goes out of 'style.'" Eisen's clever banter extended to allusions to the conclusion of "August" and a witty nod to Kelce's recent week 1 injury, good-naturedly characterizing it as "delicate." Even Kelce himself couldn't resist joining in on the fun, taking to Instagram to commend Eisen's humorous wordplay with a simple, "Well played Rich, Well played

However, despite the playful commentary and the buzz surrounding their rumored romance, an authoritative source confirmed to ET last week that Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are not in a confirmed relationship, quashing the speculations that they've been romantically involved. At present, neither Swift nor Kelce's representatives have issued an official statement addressing these persistent rumors.

Nevertheless, it's palpable that Kelce holds a special admiration for the "Anti-Hero" singer. Sources within Kelce's inner circle have shared that Travis Kelce has been a dedicated fan of Taylor Swift for quite some time, painting a picture of him as a laid-back individual brimming with humor, charisma, and a profound passion for football. Even in the absence of concrete confirmation regarding their relationship status, Kelce's affection for Swift appears unmistakably genuine.

In a podcast episode earlier this July on "New Heights," Kelce shared an endearing tale about his encounter with Swift. He disclosed that he endeavored to present her with a friendship bracelet during her Eras Tour stop at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium. However, he learned that Swift refrains from speaking before or after her performances to conserve her vocal cords for her extensive setlist.

Kelce humorously expressed his disappointment, remarking, "I was disappointed that she doesn't talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings." He went on to elucidate the tradition of exchanging friendship bracelets at Swift's concerts, adding, "I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it."

While speculations surrounding Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift continue to swirl, it is evident that the NFL star has a heartfelt admiration for the renowned pop artist. Nevertheless, their romantic status remains shrouded in mystery, offering fans and commentators an opportunity to revel in the light-hearted banter that has arisen from this unexpected pairing.