Kelly Stafford, wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, recently admitted on her podcast, The Morning After, that the media focus on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship had initially left her feeling uneasy.

Speaking candidly, Kelly shared that her frustration wasn’t due to any dislike for Swift but rather how much attention the coverage drew away from the NFL games themselves.

She now acknowledges that some of those feelings stemmed from jealousy, watching Swift and Kelce’s spotlight outshine the sport she’s passionate about.

“There’s this… cloud hanging over with this Taylor Swift thing,” Kelly explained. “Now, I have never once said I didn’t like Taylor Swift.”

She added that what truly frustrated her was the way the NFL leaned into Swift and Kelce’s relationship, turning it into such a dominant storyline that it at times overshadowed the games.

“I almost felt like it was outshining the games. I think that’s what bothered me. I was a little jealous of the fact that they were getting all this attention, and all of a sudden the football game was the sideshow,” she confessed.

Kelly’s honest reflection on her podcast wasn’t the first time she had spoken up about the Swift-Kelce media frenzy.

In an earlier episode, she admitted she wasn’t sure if she could handle “another four months of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce coverage.”

Despite these remarks, Kelly clarified that she’s been a fan of Swift’s music for years.

“I’ve always loved Taylor Swift and her music,” she said, reminiscing about following Swift since her early country music days. “I kind of grew up listening to her music… it’s always positive.”

From jealousy to appreciation for Swift’s impact

Recently, Kelly and Matthew Stafford took their four daughters – Sawyer, Chandler, Hunter, and Tyler – to Swift’s Eras Tour concert in New Orleans.

The experience included a flight on a private plane decorated with friendship bracelets, balloons, and costumes for the girls.

Sharing a video of the moment on social media, Kelly recognized that her family’s attendance might draw some “backlash” due to her previous comments.

“I knew there was going to be ‘backlash’… and it really was, I had some jealousy issues of the fact that she all of a sudden became the main show in NFL football or their relationship,” she admitted.

Watching her husband and other NFL players work tirelessly, she felt conflicted seeing the sport turn into a backdrop for the Swift-Kelce story.

Reflecting on her experience, Kelly acknowledged the positive influence Swift has had on the NFL, particularly among young fans.

“But I’m so thankful for her in a lot of ways because there are so many more women, there are little girls watching with their dads, and it definitely makes my girls love football more knowing that she’s adjacent to it,” she said.

She also noted how proud her daughters are that their dad plays the sport Swift supports, adding, “Honestly, I think my girls are prouder of their dad because he’s playing the sport Taylor Swift loves.”

Kelly Stafford’s perspective offers a relatable look into how pop culture can influence sports, creating new fans and expanding the NFL’s audience.

Her journey from initial frustration to appreciation reflects her dedication to her family and her respect for the evolving role of entertainment in football.