Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at the funeral of a 93-year-old superfan — but what they did for her grandson brought the internet to tears.
Mary never missed a Chiefs game or a Taylor album. When she passed, the couple sent flowers — and sat quietly in the back pew.
After the service, Travis handed her grandson a jersey embroidered with: “For the one she loved most.” Taylor whispered, “She’s still in the stands.” ⚰️🏈💔

A Touching Tribute: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Honor a Superfan’s Legacy

On a somber day in early 2025, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce made an unexpected appearance at the funeral of Mary Thompson, a 93-year-old Kansas City Chiefs superfan and devoted Swiftie, whose love for football and music defined her vibrant life. The couple’s quiet presence at the service was moving enough, but their heartfelt gesture to Mary’s grandson, Ethan, left the internet awash with tears. After the service, Travis gifted Ethan a custom Chiefs jersey embroidered with the words “For the one she loved most,” while Taylor whispered, “She’s still in the stands.” The moment encapsulated the couple’s compassion and their ability to turn grief into a celebration of a life well-lived.

Mary’s Lifelong Passion

Mary Thompson was a fixture in Kansas City, known for never missing a Chiefs game in over six decades. From the team’s early days at Municipal Stadium to the roaring crowds at Arrowhead, Mary was there, decked out in red and gold, cheering with a fervor that belied her age. Her love for the Chiefs deepened when Travis Kelce joined the team in 2013, his charisma and skill on the field earning her admiration. She often said Kelce’s touchdown dances reminded her of her own youthful energy.

Equally passionate about music, Mary was a Taylor Swift fan from the moment she heard Our Song on the radio in 2006. She owned every Swift album, proudly displaying vinyls of Fearless, Red, and The Tortured Poets Department in her living room. Her family recalled how she’d hum Love Story while baking cookies, her hands moving to the rhythm she felt in her heart. Mary’s connection to Swift and Kelce grew stronger when the two began dating in 2023, a union she called “the perfect touchdown.”

When Mary passed away peacefully at 93, her family shared stories of her fandom on social media, tagging Swift and Kelce in a heartfelt tribute. The post caught the couple’s attention, and they decided to honor Mary in a way that reflected her boundless spirit.

A Quiet Presence at the Funeral

The funeral, held at a small Kansas City church in February 2025, was a celebration of Mary’s life, filled with stories of her infectious laughter and unwavering loyalty to her team and favorite artist. Unbeknownst to the family, Swift and Kelce arrived discreetly, slipping into the back pew just before the service began. They had sent a stunning arrangement of white roses and sunflowers—Mary’s favorite—with a card that read, “From Taylor and Travis, with love for Mary’s beautiful soul.”

Their presence was a surprise to most attendees, who only noticed the couple when a soft murmur spread through the church. Swift, dressed in a simple black dress, and Kelce, in a tailored suit, sat quietly, listening to the eulogies. Mary’s daughter, Susan, later shared that she saw Swift wiping away tears as Ethan, Mary’s 16-year-old grandson, spoke about his grandmother’s love for Chiefs games and Swift’s music. The couple’s decision to attend was a testament to their commitment to fans, even in moments of personal loss.

A Gesture That Touched the Heart

After the service, as mourners gathered outside, Swift and Kelce approached Ethan, who was visibly emotional. Travis, with a gentle smile, handed him a Kansas City Chiefs jersey, meticulously embroidered with the words “For the one she loved most” in gold thread. The jersey, bearing Kelce’s number 87, was a nod to Mary’s devotion to both her grandson and the team. Ethan, a high school football player who idolized Kelce, clutched the jersey, his eyes welling up.

Taylor, standing beside Travis, leaned in and whispered to Ethan, “She’s still in the stands.” The words, a reference to Mary’s unwavering presence at Chiefs games, carried a deeper meaning—that her love and spirit would always be with him. Ethan nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, and hugged both Swift and Kelce. The moment, captured by a family member and shared on X, spread rapidly online, with fans and strangers alike moved by the tenderness of the gesture.

A Viral Moment of Compassion

The internet erupted with emotion as the story of Swift and Kelce’s tribute to Mary and Ethan gained traction. Posts on X described the couple’s actions as “pure class,” with one user writing, “Taylor and Travis didn’t just show up—they showed what it means to care about fans like family.” Another fan shared, “Mary’s probably cheering from heaven, wearing that jersey. ‘She’s still in the stands’ broke me.” The hashtag #MarysLegacy trended briefly, as Swifties and Chiefs fans shared their own stories of loved ones whose passions brought them together.

The jersey and Taylor’s words resonated deeply because they honored Mary’s legacy in a personal way. For Ethan, the gift was more than memorabilia—it was a reminder of his grandmother’s love and the connection they shared over football and music. He later told a local reporter, “I wear the jersey every day. It feels like Grandma’s still with me, like Taylor said.”

A Shared Commitment to Fans

Swift and Kelce’s appearance at the funeral was not their first act of kindness, but it stood out for its intimacy. Swift has a history of connecting with fans in meaningful ways, from visiting sick children to sending personalized gifts. Kelce, through his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, has supported countless young people in Kansas City and beyond. Their decision to attend Mary’s funeral and honor Ethan reflected their shared values—using their platforms to make a difference, one person at a time.

The couple’s presence also highlighted their deep ties to Kansas City, where Swift has performed multiple times during her Eras Tour and where Kelce has become a hometown hero. Their relationship, often in the spotlight, has been defined by moments like these, where they prioritize authenticity over publicity. By attending quietly and focusing on Ethan, they ensured the moment remained about Mary’s memory.

A Legacy That Lives On

Mary’s story, and the couple’s tribute, struck a chord because it celebrated the universal power of fandom. For Mary, the Chiefs and Taylor Swift’s music were sources of joy, connection, and pride. Her family noted that she would have been thrilled to know Swift and Kelce attended her funeral, joking that she’d have insisted on playing Sweet Nothing during the service.

For Ethan, the jersey and Taylor’s words became a source of strength as he navigated his grief. He began wearing it to his high school football games, where teammates rallied around him, inspired by his grandmother’s legacy. The community center where Mary volunteered even launched a “Mary Thompson Spirit Award” to honor local fans who embody her passion and kindness.

A Reminder of Love’s Enduring Power

The story of Swift and Kelce’s funeral tribute is a reminder that small gestures can have a profound impact. By showing up for Mary and Ethan, they turned a moment of loss into one of love and remembrance. The embroidered jersey and Taylor’s heartfelt words gave Ethan a tangible connection to his grandmother’s spirit, while the internet’s response amplified Mary’s legacy to a global audience.

As fans continue to share the story, it serves as a testament to the couple’s ability to touch lives beyond the stage and the field. Mary may no longer be in the stands at Arrowhead or singing along to Evermore, but as Taylor said, her spirit remains—cheering, loving, and inspiring those she left behind. For Ethan, and for the countless fans moved by this story, Mary’s legacy lives on, stitched into a jersey and whispered in a moment of grace.