Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have expressed excitement at the prospect of playing in front of President Donald Trump during this Sunday’s Super Bowl, as the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles. Trump is set to make history by becoming the first sitting president to attend the iconic event, according to a White House spokesperson.
Mahomes, who is aiming for his fourth Super Bowl victory with the Chiefs, spoke about the honor of performing in front of Trump. “It’s always cool to be able to play in front of a sitting president, someone who is in the top position in our country,” Mahomes shared. While he had not seen Trump’s comments regarding his performance on the field, Mahomes appreciated hearing that the president respects his skills.
Mahomes has generally stayed neutral on political matters, not publicly endorsing any candidate in the past election. However, his family has expressed support for Trump. His mother and wife, Brittany, have both made their preferences clear in past public statements.
Kelce, for his part, also expressed enthusiasm about playing in front of the president at the Super Bowl. “That’s awesome. It’s a great honor,” he said when asked about Trump attending the game. Kelce emphasized that, regardless of who holds the presidential office, the opportunity to play in the most significant game of his career was special. “No matter who the president is, I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life, you know, and having the president there… it’s the best country in the world. So, that’d be pretty cool.”
Kelce’s comments are perhaps more surprising than those of Mahomes, given Trump’s previous public attacks on Taylor Swift, Kelce’s girlfriend. In September, Trump made headlines by posting on social media, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,” following the singer’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Swift had also supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election, something that did not sit well with Trump. Despite this, Kelce remained positive about Trump’s attendance at the Super Bowl.
While Kelce did not publicly endorse any candidate in the 2024 presidential election, he did show his appreciation for the honor of meeting President Joe Biden at the White House after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory in 2023. Reflecting on that experience, Kelce said, “Anytime I get a chance to be recognized by the president of the United States and get to go with my teammates and a group of men and women that I had success with to the point we get acknowledged … I’m doing it every time no matter who’s up there at the helm.” This sentiment suggests that, for Kelce, the significance of meeting the president transcends political affiliations.
Both Mahomes and Kelce have expressed a strong sense of pride in being able to represent their team and their country on the world stage. For them, the Super Bowl represents more than just a game—it is a chance to showcase their talents and achievements in front of the entire nation, including the highest office in the land. The presence of a sitting president at such a high-profile event only adds to the grandeur of the occasion.
Kelce’s perspective reflects a broader sense of patriotism, focusing on the unique opportunity to be recognized and celebrated by the president. His comments point to the fact that, despite any differences in political views, the recognition of hard work and success is a universal value. For both athletes, the excitement surrounding the game is about more than just football; it’s about the honor of competing at the highest level and the significance of doing so in front of the leader of the country.
As the Super Bowl approaches, the Chiefs’ star players are focused on the game itself but clearly appreciate the added dimension of playing in front of the president. Whether it’s Mahomes’ acknowledgment of the respect Trump has shown him or Kelce’s gratitude for the recognition, both players seem ready to make history—not only for their performance on the field but also for the incredible experience of playing in front of such an esteemed audience.
In the end, the presence of Trump at the Super Bowl only serves to heighten the stakes and add to the historical nature of the event. The Kansas City Chiefs are prepared for the challenge, and both Mahomes and Kelce seem eager to add another chapter to their storied careers, with a unique moment of history playing out before them.
