Ed Sheeran may be best known for his global music stardom, but behind the scenes, the British singer-songwriter has quietly embraced NFL football. And it turns out his journey into fandom wasn’t the result of a deep love for the game or hometown loyalty, but rather a lighthearted accident that happened while settling into Nashville over a decade ago.
During his appearance on the July 10 episode of Kylie Kelce‘s podcast Not Gonna Lie, Sheeran shared the origin story of how he became a Tennessee Titans fan, and it’s as quirky and casual as you might expect.
“I’m a Titans fan,” Sheeran revealed. “I moved to Nashville for Taylor’s Red Tour in 2013 and I got a place there. I went to Walmart to buy bits to move in and I just bought some pajamas. And then when I got home, I was wearing the pajamas. And when someone was around, they were like, ‘Oh, you’re a Titans fan?’ I was like, ‘Guess I am.'”
The start of a fan journey
That simple wardrobe choice marked the start of a fan journey that has now lasted over a decade. Despite the Titans’ struggles to reach the NFL’s upper echelon, Sheeran has remained loyal, comparing them to his soccer club back home.
“They’re always the bridesmaid – actually, I wouldn’t even say that they’re a bridesmaid. They’re invited to the wedding. They’re there,” he said with a laugh.
Though Sheeran admits the Titans aren’t exactly perennial contenders, he finds joy in the unpredictable nature of American football.
“What’s lovely about the NFL is anything can happen,” he said, capturing the hope shared by fans across the league each season.
The Titans connection might have been accidental, but it wouldn’t have happened without his close friendship with Taylor Swift. The duo’s bond dates back to 2012 when their first collaboration, Everything Has Changed, appeared on Swift’s Red album. S
heeran then joined her for the U.S. leg of the Red Tour, which brought him to Nashville and set the stage for his Walmart-induced fandom.
Swift, like Sheeran, has also become an NFL regular though for different reasons. Her romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce turned her into one of the sport’s most visible celebrity fans. She began attending Chiefs games in 2023 and became a fixture during the team’s Super Bowl run.
Her NFL immersion even sparked a bit of rivalry within the Kelce household. On a 2023 episode of the New Heights podcast, co-host Jason Kelce playfully roasted Swift’s father, Scott Swift, for wearing Chiefs gear.
“What are we doing?” Jason said. “You’re gonna let this man’s devilishly good looks and relationship with your daughter sway you from a lifetime of fandom, Scott? Ridiculous.”
To which Travis responded with a grin: “Got him over to the good side, baby,” suggesting he was converting the entire Swift family into loyal Chiefs fans.
As for Sheeran, he’s stayed true to his Titans roots. While his team has yet to make it to the NFL’s biggest stage, he continues to enjoy the sport for its excitement and unpredictability.
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