Melissa Etheridge Jokes She’s ‘Worried’ Travis Kelce Will ‘Retire Early’ to Be with Taylor Swift

“I think he’s an amazing human being, and I think they’re a great couple,” said the Kansas City native in an interview on ‘Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?’

Melissa Etheridge; Taylor Swift; Travis Kelce. PHOTO: JOHN LAMPARSKI/GETTY; DAVID EULITT/GETTY; FRED KFOURY III/ICON SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY

If Travis Kelce wants to keep Melissa Etheridge happy, he’ll stay in football as long as possible.

During a new interview on Max’s Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, the singer and Kansas City native opened up about her admiration for the Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift’s relationship — joking that she hopes he won’t leave the NFL for her anytime soon.

“All those guys are way too professional, as she is, to let anything be a distraction,” said Etheridge, 62, noting that she’s a fan of Swift, 34. “I love that she loves one of my favorite football players, Travis Kelce. He’s an amazing human being, and I think they’re a great couple.”

The “Come to My Window” performer spoke about how it’s “attractive” to see two individuals with cultural “power” come together. “I think it’s fantastic. I love it,” she said.

“I’m just worried he’s gonna retire early to be with her,” joked Etheridge, whose episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace is available to stream now on Max. “That’s the thing I’m worried about.”

As Kelce, 34, gears up for the Chiefs’ upcoming match against the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11, he’s made it clear the big game is his main focus. During a recent interview on The Pat McAfee Show, he confirmed he won’t be able to attend the 2024 Grammy Awards alongside Swift on Sunday.

“I wish I could go support Taylor at the Grammys, and watch her win every single award that she’s nominated for,” said Kelce.

“But I think I’ve got practice on Sunday,” he coyly added, uncertain if his team would use Saturday as a practice day and Sunday as a travel day. However, he explained that his schedule just won’t allow for him to attend the show while staying focused on Kansas City’s fourth Super Bowl in five years.

“Unfortunately, I’ve gotta get ready for this big old Super Bowl that we’ve got in a week,” Kelce said on the show.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift in Baltimore on Jan. 28, 2024.PATRICK SMITH/GETTY

Fans speculated about the possibility that the NFL star would attend the Grammys with Swift after the “Lover” singer supported him at the Chiefs’ AFC Championship win in Baltimore on Jan. 28 — and with the awards show happening the weekend before the Super Bowl.

Swift and Kelce did get to publicly support each other at his recent game, and their on-field celebration set the internet ablaze as they shared several kisses and the NFL star was heard saying, “I love you.”