The Swifties have all the sleuthing abilities of Sherlock Holmes and the C.I.A. combined, and yet, there was one major Taylor Swiftdetail from last year that somehow went totally undetected. The queen of Easter eggs was actually secretly attending Kansas City Chiefs games before she and her now-boyfriend Travis Kelce went public with their relationship at the team's Sept. 24, 2023, game against the Chicago Bears. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt revealed that Swift had been coming to the games before all of the hoopla surrounding her presence.

“When she started to come around, it was privately. She was coming into the stadiums without people really knowing until the camera put a big spotlight on it,” Meritt said during an appearance on The Sports Shop with Reese and K-Mac podcast last week. Given her previous methods of keeping a low profile —umbrellas, hiding inside of suitcases, etc. — it's fun to imagine how she entered Arrowhead stadium without being swarmed (perhaps, an equipment bag?).

Merritt added that Swift's energy helped the team's spirit and ultimately contributed to their winning season; She cheered on the Chiefs to victory at the 2024 Super Bowl. “Upon meeting her, I felt like she actually added to what it was we were trying to do,” he continued. “Because there were so many people that were hating the fact that she was being shown on the TV. [We were like], you know what? You’re part of our family because you’re with Travis, so therefore you’re our little sister. You’re part of our family.” 

Not only did her consistent appearances positively impact the team (ICYMI, the pop star very publicly attended many games to cheer on the NFL tight end), but Merritt added that she has actually changed Kelce for the better, too.

“She actually affected the team in a positive way. It wasn’t a negative way,' he said. "Everybody was excited that Travis was happy. So, when my player, my brother, is happy beside me that helps me and that encourages me. Travis came in there a different man."