Even thoughTaylor Swift is engaged to the 36-year-old Travis Kelce, there’s another professional athlete who has long admired the superstar singer from afar, and his story is fascinating in its own right.
World Baseball Classic player Todd Van Steensel has openly declared himself a Swift fan, mirroring some of the passion Kelce has shown. His admiration began years ago and has never faded, despite the singer now being engaged.
“He’s gone to concerts, created Swift-inspired friendship bracelets for his teammates and has even met the singer,” Michael Clair of the MLB’s official website notes in a March 9 feature about Van Steensel, highlighting just how dedicated the athlete is.
Van Steensel even got a tattoo on the inside of his wrist that reads Fearless, in a script resembling Taylor Swift’s signature album.
“A long time ago, I listened to Our Song, and after that, I was hooked,” Van Steensel said, He went on to describe his ongoing fandom, saying he has “just followed her career and followed her around the world,” showing how his admiration is both deep and persistent.
“It’s a little mantra, but also an homage to her album. It’s fun and I love the way she tells stories through her music,” Van Steensel added.
He clarified, though, that his devotion to Swift is entirely different to that of Kelce’s. Van Steensel remaims devoted to his own partner and admits he listens to “Love Story” when he wants to feel those “lovey-dovey feelings that make me think of my partner.”
Although Kelce and Swift are engaged, they have not rushed into planning a wedding as reports indicate that the couple intends to savor their engagement and may hold a summer ceremony later in 2026.
Potential venues like Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, though no official date has been confirmed.
For Van Steensel, Kelce’s engagement doesn’t diminish his admiration for Swift, which has spanned concerts, collectibles, and tattoos.
Kelce re-signs with Kansas City: He will play for Chiefs in 2026 NFL season as a married man
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Travis Kelce has solidified his future in the NFL by re-signing with the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2026 season, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $12 million with a maximum value of $15 million.
This deal marks another chapter in Kelce’s illustrious career, avoiding unrestricted free agency for the first time, and ensuring he remains a central target for Patrick Mahomes, his longtime quarterback and friend, after the Chiefs’ disappointing 2025 campaign.
The 36-year-old Kelce has seven All-Pro honors, three Super Bowl titles, and 11 Pro Bowls under his belt, having consistently logged at least 800 receiving yards per season. Last year, he caught 76 passes for 851 yards and five touchdowns, remaining vital despite his team missing the playoffs.
With Kelce back, the Chiefs now aim to strengthen their roster around him and Mahomes. Speculation has already linked Kansas City to top free agent running backs like Travis Etienne Jr. and Kenneth Walker III, while the draft may see them target another wide receiver to complement the offense.
Can the Chiefs reach the NFL Playoffs and perhaps even the Super Bowl in what is shaping up to be the future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer’s final campaign in the league?
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