Even though Taylor Swift wasn’t physically present at the 2026 NFL Honors, Travis Kelce made sure she was still part of his big night in a memorable way. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end subtly celebrated his famous fiancée during the festivities, giving fans a heartwarming moment to talk about.
A Special Moment After the Ceremony
Following the NFL Honors event on Thursday, Feb. 5 — where Kelce was among the 32 nominees for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award — the star athlete headed to an afterparty hosted by his Tight End University organization. The celebration featured music by DJ duo Loud Luxury, and the atmosphere quickly turned electric when Kelce stepped behind the DJ booth.
That’s when the crowd got a surprise. Kelce played a dance remix of one of Swift’s chart-topping songs, smiling, singing along, and even trying his hand at scratching the turntables. Videos from the event captured the NFL star fully embracing the moment, clearly enjoying the tribute to his partner.
Loud Luxury later shared clips on Instagram Stories showing Kelce grooving behind the decks as the party continued.
Celebrations in San Francisco
The afterparty took place at Public Works in San Francisco shortly after the official NFL Honors ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts. While Kelce didn’t take home the Walter Payton Man of the Year award — which ultimately went to Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner — he showed his sportsmanship by congratulating Wagner backstage in a TikTok shared by the Kansas City Chiefs.
With one nominee representing each NFL team, the honor remains one of the league’s most respected recognitions for excellence both on and off the field.
Swift’s Big Release Happening at the Same Time
While Kelce was celebrating with fellow players, Swift was busy preparing for a major release of her own. The global superstar unveiled the music video for “Opalite,” the second visual from her Billboard 200 No. 1 album The Life of a Showgirl.
The video features an impressive lineup of guest appearances, including Domhnall Gleeson, Graham Norton, Greta Lee, and Lewis Capaldi. Sharing the story behind the project on Instagram, Swift revealed that the idea came together spontaneously after a lighthearted moment during her appearance on The Graham Norton Show. Inspired by a joke Gleeson made about wanting to star in one of her videos, Swift quickly turned the idea into reality and sent him the script just a week later.
A Night of Wins — On and Off the Field
Even without attending the ceremony together, Kelce and Swift each had a major night in their respective worlds. From Kelce’s playful musical tribute at the party to Swift’s high-profile video release, the couple once again showed how their careers — and their support for one another — continue to shine in parallel.
How Travis Kelce Gave a Sweet Nod to Taylor Swift During His NFL Honors Afterparty Appearance quickly became a fan-favorite story, proving that sometimes the smallest gestures create the biggest buzz.
