Jason Kelce Highlights “Taylor Swift’s Second Favorite”: Xavier Worthy Gets the Shout

Jason Kelce Highlights “Taylor Swift’s Second Favorite”: Xavier Worthy Gets the Shout

In a recent episode of New Heights, the podcast co-hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, Jason made a playful comment that lit up NFL and pop culture Twitter alike: Travis’ teammate Xavier Worthy was “Taylor Swift’s second‑favorite player.” The quip came in the context of Worthy making a big return to the field for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Who Is Xavier Worthy & What Happened

Rookie Receiver: Worthy, a first‑round pick from the University of Texas (2024), has been turning heads with his speed and big‑play ability.

Injury Hiatus: He sustained a shoulder injury (a dislocated shoulder with a torn labrum) in Week 1 in São Paulo, Brazil, in a collision involving Travis Kelce. This injury sidelined him for several games.

Return & Impact: When Worthy returned in Week 4, he put up solid numbers in Kansas City’s win over the Baltimore Ravens: 5 catches, 83 yards receiving, plus 38 yards rushing. His presence brought a noticeable spark to the offense. Jason credited his speed, field stretching ability, and how his return opened up other parts of the Chiefs’ offensive scheme.

The “Second Favorite” Joke

What Jason Said: On the podcast, Jason Kelce teased, “It was a big day to have Taylor’s second‑favorite player back, Xavier Worthy.” The wording implies that Taylor Swift has at least one player she favors more, presumably Travis Kelce himself, given the relationship context.

Why It Resonated: A few reasons:

Pop culture intersection: Taylor Swift’s fandom is massive and vocal, especially when her name intersects with sports. Any reference to what she likes (players, teams, etc.) tends to spark attention.

Sibling / team/family banter: Jason and Travis often joke in ways that include Taylor, given how public their relationship is and how much she is part of Chiefs culture now. This plays into that friendly, public teasing.

Worthy’s rising role: With his return and performance, Worthy’s impact is actual — so it’s not just empty praise. The joke works because there’s substance behind it. Worthy’s abilities on vertical routes, his speed, the way he’s used in diverse plays once he’s back make defenses adjust, which in turn helps more than just his own stats.

The Implications & What Fans Are Saying

Beyond the Joke: For Worthy, this kind of recognition (even in jest) helps signal to fans and media that he’s becoming more than just “the speedy rookie.” He’s being seen as a factor, someone whose availability matters to how the offense is evaluated.

Taylor’s Role (As Perception): Even though this is lighthearted, it reinforces the idea that Taylor Swift has influence (or at least that people think she has influence) in sports culture. Whether she’s actually “second favorite” or not is beside the point; the perception amplifies the story.

What’s Next: If Worthy continues producing — making plays, staying healthy — those jokes may turn into serious discussion about whether he’s closing in on being “Taylor’s favorite” (in jest, of course). Plus, from a team standpoint, if Worthy helps stretch the field and forces defenses to respect deep speed, the Chiefs offense becomes harder to defend. That could translate into wins, which always ratchets up interest.

How This Fits the Bigger Picture

This incident is part of a broader narrative:

The merging of celebrity culture and sports, where relationships, fanbases, and personal branding matter as much as on-field performance (or at least in how stories are told).

The increasing recognition of young players making immediate impacts, especially on high‑profile teams like the Chiefs. When someone returns from injury and contributes right away, that validates not just their physical recovery but their mental readiness and coaching staff’s confidence.

How public figures (Athletes + Pop stars) now operate – fans expect these crossovers. Taylor Swift being a consistent presence at games, commenting on picks (“We drafted Xavier Worthy!” she said), etc., only fuels more attention.

Closing Thought

At its core, this “second favorite” line is a friendly torch passed — not away from Travis, but toward Xavier Worthy. It’s both a tribute and a challenge. For Worthy, it’s a nod that people are noticing, believing in him, and expecting more from him. For fans of the Chiefs (and Swift), it’s memorable, fun, and adds another layer in the kinds of stories sports produce today.g