Travis Kelce has riled up right wing commentators by endorsing Bud Light, encouraging vaccinations and hanging out with voter registration activist — oh, and all-world pop star — Taylor Swift.
But the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning tight end has also given indirectly to the political campaigns of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), as well as the National Republican Senatorial Committee and various other Republican committees, according to a Raw Story review of Federal Election Commission records.
Kelce made a pair of $500 contributions — one each in 2017 and 2020 — to the National Football League Players Association political action committee, called One Team. Numerous NFL players have contributed to the PAC over the years.
One Team, in turn, has made political contributions to both Republicans and Democrats. Recipients on the left include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
A Raw Story request for comment from Kelce made through the Chiefs organization was not answered.
The NFLPA formed One Team in 2016 as the union was preparing to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL. The league owners have their own, much richer PAC, called Gridiron.
During the 2018 election cycle, One Team gave $87,500 to federal-level candidates and committees, according to nonpartisan research organization OpenSecrets. Republicans received 54 percent of the contributions and Democrats received 46 percent.
During the 2020 cycle, One Team gave $80,000 to federal campaign committees. This time, 56 percent went to Democrats and 44 percent went to Republicans, according to OpenSecrets.
The PAC’s spending dropped markedly for the 2022 cycle, with $9,500 going to political campaigns, a large majority to Republicans.
One Team’s latest FEC filing, through the first half of this year, shows no contributions in 2023 but nearly $900,000 remaining in its account.
A representative for One Team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
With Swift in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium and with the attendant publicity during the game telecast and elsewhere, Kelce’s jersey sales spiked 400 percent Sunday, according to Fanatics.
There was also an article on Insider carrying the headline, “A Swiftie’s essential guide to football (now that you care).” It asked the question, “But what is a touchdown.”
Condescending?
Shake it off, Swifties.