Taylor Swift’s touching Super Bowl message to Chiefs game-winner Mecole Hardman had unique nod to their first meeting
KANSAS City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman has revealed he and Taylor Swift had a wholesome moment while celebrating the Super Bowl triumph at Allegiant Stadium.
The former second-round NFL pick said the pop star, 34, recalled their first meeting when she congratulated him on claiming the championship.
Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman said Taylor Swift recalled their first meeting in a touching message as she congratulated him on the Super Bowl winCredit: YouTube/The Pivot Podcast
Hardman and Swift shared a hug after the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIIICredit: Reuters
Hardman, 25, caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime to hand Kansas City a 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
The Chiefs wideout later said he didn’t remember the moment he caught the pass having “blacked out” in the end zone.
But he regained consciousness in time to register Swift’s touching message when the 14-time Grammy winner joined the Chiefs in on-field celebrations.
The Karma singer — who flew all the way from Japan to cheer on her boyfriend Travis Kelce from the stands — could be seen embracing Hardman after the game.
Asked about the interaction on Ryan Clark’s The Pivot podcast, the NFL receiver said the singer told him she was proud of him.
Swift then brought up the magic trick Hardman showed her during their very first encounter.
“[When] I first met her, I was doing magic tricks with the cards,” the Chiefs star said.
“I got a few tricks I can do with the cards.
“And she was like, ‘This is crazy,’ and every time she sees me she talk about it.
“So then she was like, man, you and these cards, your hands are magical, or something she was saying like that.”
During his appearance on The Pivot, Hardman also heaped praise on Kelce for his leadership during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run.
He said the Chiefs tight end’s heated sideline exchange with head coach Andy Reid was fuelled by his desire to win, which spread among the team and made a difference.
Hardman revealed Kelce then flipped a table in the locker room at halftime after the Chiefs fell behind 10-3 in an attempt to inspire his teammates to mount a comeback.
“His leadership was top-notch,” Hardman said.
“And you could see the difference. Even in the second half, the catches he was making.
“You could feel the energy. The energy he has is contagious.
“It goes from the head coach all the way down to the people that ain’t even playing.”
