Travis Kelce is far from the first NFL player to start dating a major celebrity, though Swift is by far the biggest that any NFL player has ever dated.
We could trace NFL players dating well-known celebrities back to the 50s and 60s, though Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath probably had one of the longest lists with the likes of Janis Joplin and Raquel Welch on his list of high-profile dates.
Here are five of the most iconic NFL couples that came before Kelce and Swift:
Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson, 2007-2009
Arguably the first time that a quarterback dating a major public personality really became a major national talking point, Simpson and Romo began dating in November of 2007 and almost immediately got on the nerves of Cowboys fans as the team lost two of their final three games and were one-and-done in the playoffs at the hands of the New York Giants.
Many accused Simpson of having a “Yoko Ono” effect on Romo and the Cowboys and her presence at Cowboys became a major point of contention back in the day. Former U.S. President George W. Bush even joked about it.
The couple split in 2009.
Romo is now married to Candice Crawford and has three kids. Simpson is married to Eric Johnson with three kids of her own.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, 2009-2022
For nearly 15 years Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen were the pre-eminent power couple in all of sports. While Brady was the most well-known NFL player in America, Bundchen was a world-renown model and it was commonly joked that she made far more money modeling than Brady did on his eight-figure NFL salary.
Bundchen was also ever-present at NFL games, frequently displaying signs of affection for her husband as Brady won four Super Bowls while they were married.
But their falling out and divorce in 2022 sent shockwaves through the NFL world. Many have speculated that Brady’s devotion to football at the expense of spending time with her may have contributed to their breakup.
Both are now single.
Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick, 2018-2020
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While Aaron Rodgers has actually had three different celebrity relationships during his NFL career – the others being actress Olivia Munn and actress Shailene Woodley. But his relationship with former NASCAR racer Danica Patrick was easily his most high-profile one.
By 2018, Patrick’s NASCAR career was nearing its end while Rodgers was still in his prime and becoming an even face of the NFL. While 2018 was a rough year for Rodgers, 2019 and 2020 would see him lead the Green Bay Packers to back-to-back NFC Championship Games.
Rodgers and Patrick broke up just before the 2020 season, and Rodgers both of them soon resumed dating.
Neither one is currently married.
Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian, 2007-2009
It was Bush’s longtime friend and USC teammate Matt Leinart who first introduced him to Kim K back in 2007 during the ESPYs, and right after a stellar rookie season for the New Orleans Saints.
But as has mysteriously been the case with many men who date members of the Kardashian family, things got a little bit rough for Bush during and after the relationship.
Bush began picking up all kinds of injuries during his relationship with Kim and soon after they split, his Heisman Trophy was confiscated in the fallout of NCAA sanctions.
Bush is now married to Lilit Avagyan with three children. It’s probably best not to talk about Kim Kardashian’s marital situation.
Nnamdi Asomugha and Kerry Washington, 2013-present
There aren’t many couples that feature an NFL All-Pro on one half and a Primetime Emmy award winner on the other.
Between 2006 and 2010, Nnamdi Asomugha was the best cornerback in the NFL not named Darrelle Revis. He made three Pro Bowls with the Oakland Raiders and was a four-time All-Pro during that span. His career began to take a downturn following his big money move to the Eagles in 2011.
But as his career started to wane, Washington’s was about to skyrocket. In 2013 – the year she married Asomugha – Washington got her first of two Emmy nominations for Scandal. She has since picked up seven more Emmy nominations, including a win for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) in 2020.
They have two children together, while Asomugha also has a child from a prior relationship.