Tony Romo Says He Called Taylor Swift Travis Kelce’s Wife on Purpose and Fans Are Still Talking
Sometimes a single word can set the internet on fire. That is exactly what happened when Tony Romo casually referred to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce’s wife during a live NFL broadcast.
More than a year later, Romo is finally explaining why he did it, and his reason is just as playful as fans suspected.
Keep reading to find out why Tony Romo says the viral moment was no accident and how his playful comment turned into pop culture history.
Tony Romo Breaks His Silence on the Viral Broadcast Moment
Tony Romo is clearing the air about one of the most talked-about moments from the 2023 NFL season. During a live broadcast in December 2023, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback referred to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce’s wife. Not once, but twice. At the time, Swift and Kelce were only dating, and the comment immediately sent fans into a frenzy.
Now, Romo says the moment was intentional. In a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up on January 29, he admitted he was simply having a little fun with viewers who were already deeply invested in the celebrity romance.
“I did that on purpose, and people were like, ‘Do you know something?’” Romo said. “I was like, ‘Nah, I just wanted to make you guys think for a second.’”
According to Romo, the comment was never meant to reveal insider information. It was his way of leaning into the excitement surrounding Swift and Kelce’s highly publicized relationship.
Why Romo Says He Wanted to Play with Fans
Romo explained that the buzz around Taylor Swift attending Kansas City Chiefs games was impossible to ignore. Cameras frequently cut to Swift in the stands, and fans reacted strongly every time she appeared on screen.
Romo said he wanted to engage with that energy rather than shy away from it. While calling Chiefs games that season, he decided to slip in the word wife as a way to tease the audience.
“I just wanted to mess with you a little bit,” Romo added, emphasizing that it was all meant in good fun.
At the time, many viewers wondered if Romo had inside knowledge about the couple’s future. Social media lit up with speculation, theories, and jokes. The moment quickly became viral, proving just how closely fans were following every detail of Swift and Kelce’s relationship.
The On-Air Slip That Happened Twice
The first time Romo used the word wife was on December 10, 2023, during the Chiefs’ loss to the Buffalo Bills. His comment flew by quickly, but viewers caught it instantly.
Just one week later, during a game against the Raiders, Romo did it again. This time, it was even more noticeable.
“As you see, Kelce’s wife, Taylor Swift, in the audience,” he said before stopping himself. Moments later, he corrected the remark and laughed it off. “Er, I’m sorry. Girlfriend!”
Another commentator quickly chimed in with a joke, responding, “Not yet,” as laughter filled the booth.
At the time, Romo’s correction made it seem like a simple slip of the tongue. Now, fans know it was anything but accidental.
Calling Games During Peak Swift and Kelce Mania
Romo also spoke about how challenging it was to strike the right balance during broadcasts once Swift and Kelce became the most famous couple in sports and pop culture.
Answering a question about calling the first Super Bowl since their relationship began, Romo joked about the pressure.
“It was so difficult. I don’t know how I got through it,” he said.
The attention on Swift was constant. Every appearance she made in the stands became a headline. Broadcasters had to acknowledge her presence without letting it overwhelm the game itself. Romo’s playful approach helped keep things light, even if it sparked a bit of chaos online.
Engagement Confirms Romo’s Joke Came True
In August 2025, Swift and Kelce officially announced their engagement, making Romo’s earlier comments feel oddly prophetic. The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post on August 26.
“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” Swift wrote in the caption.
The announcement delighted fans who had followed their relationship from the very beginning. Many quickly resurfaced Romo’s old broadcast clips, joking that he had called it long before anyone else.
Swift Opens Up About the Proposal
Since announcing their engagement, Swift has shared a few sweet details about the moment. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, she revealed how impressed she was with Kelce’s planning.
She later appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on October 6, where she spoke openly about her fiancé.
“My favorite person I’ve ever met,” Swift said. She also explained what the engagement ring symbolizes to her.
“The fact that this is the person I get to hang out with every day forever, that’s the whole thing of it, that’s the win, and this represents that,” she said, referring to her custom old mine brilliant cut diamond ring.
A Lighthearted Moment That Became Pop Culture History
What started as a playful comment from a former quarterback turned broadcaster has now become a memorable footnote in Swift and Kelce’s love story. Romo insists he was simply having fun with fans, but the timing made his words unforgettable.
In hindsight, the moment feels almost charming. It captured the excitement of a relationship that blurred the lines between sports and pop culture in a way rarely seen before.
For fans, it is another reminder that sometimes the smallest moments on live television can take on a life of their own. And for Tony Romo, it proves that even a joke can end up becoming part of pop culture lore.
Summary:
- Tony Romo revealed he intentionally referred to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce’s wife during live NFL broadcasts in December 2023.
- The former quarterback said the comment was meant to playfully tease fans amid growing excitement over Swift and Kelce’s relationship.
- Romo used the term wife twice on air during the 2023 NFL season while calling Kansas City Chiefs games.
- At the time, Swift and Kelce were dating, which led fans to speculate whether Romo knew something about their future.
- Romo later clarified the moment during an interview on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up in January 2026.
- The viral comment resurfaced after Swift and Kelce announced their engagement in August 2025.
- Swift later shared details about the proposal and her engagement ring during television appearances.
- The moment is now seen as a lighthearted pop culture crossover between sports and entertainment.
