KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers portions of eastern Jackson County, including areas like Blue Springs and Independence. If you have a story idea to share, send an email to Claire at claire.bradshaw@kshb.com.
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Almost a year since Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and global superstar Taylor Swift’s romance started, Swift's fans are now gearing up for another football season.
St. Joseph native Mariah DeSpain is one of many Swifties with a ticket to training camp.
DeSpain attended training camp in 2010, the first year it was held in St. Joseph, but she likes to think she is loyal to Swift first.
She said she hasn’t missed a concert tour yet, attending eight total.
“I guess you could say I was a Chiefs fan before Swiftie because I came out a Chiefs fan at birth," she said. "So I have all my baby pictures in the little Chiefs cheerleader outfits, and I watched the games growing up. But I never really understood what was happening and took a care to football until Taylor got involved."
The headlines kept coming throughout the 2023-24 football season, starting with the “Swift Effect,” an increase in Kelce’s jersey sales and fans getting their hands on KC-area merchandise promoting the pair.
DeSpain said looking back, she can’t believe the year it has been for Kansas City’s reputation and is proud of how the city and fans have handled the increased attention.
Now, she said she has a bigger appreciation for football overall and looks forward to game days.
“I think I get why my parents enjoyed it now that I actually understand what's going on," DeSpain said. "And I think it makes me look forward instead of being like, ‘Oh, we got to watch the game today,’ or, ’Oh, they're taking up the TV.’ I’m like actually excited."
As a St. Joseph native, DeSpain said this growing fanbase coupled with coming off of a Super Bowl win will have an impact on the training camp host city.
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