During a recent party in the singer’s honor to mark the conclusion of her blockbuster Eras tour, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end appeared to call back to a fan-favorite number from the concert, in which Taylor gifted a lucky fan at each show with the hat she wore to perform her song “22.”
In a photo from the festivities, shared by Taylor’s BFF Ashley Avignone, Travis—who was decked out in a tuxedo and top hat as a nod to his onstage appearance at an Eras tour stop in June—smiled as he placed the hat on Taylor’s head. Meanwhile, the “I Did Something Bad” singer, clad in a black Balmain halter minidress, tipped her head back as she received the fedora.
The touching gesture was just the tip of the iceberg as the NFL star proved to be the brains behind the entire surprise party, which also coincided with the Grammy winner’s 35th birthday.
His involvement was confirmed when Jo-Jo Edwards-Helaire, who is married to Travis’ Chiefs teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire, replied to a social media user asking about the bash, writing, “It was, a congratulations party. And a surprise from Trav.”
Taylor’s longtime pal Ashley also confirmed details about the gathering. “When she thought she was going to a small, quiet dinner,” she captioned her Dec. 19 Instagram post, “but it was actually a giant surprise party with her friends and family, props included.”
And the guests got in on the Eras-themed action as well. Brittany Mahomes wore a black fringed jacket over a silver fringed dress—seemingly in reference to Taylor’s 2022 album Midnights—while her husband, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, twinned with Travis in a tux of his own.
In addition to the epic affair, Taylor ran in her 35th by breaking yet another record, this time by becoming the most decorated artist in Billboard Music Awards history with 49 career wins.
“It means the world to me that you guys have embraced the things I've made, and the fact that you've cared so much about my music,” she said as she accepted her 10 latest wins in a video message Dec. 12. “This is, like, the nicest early birthday present you could have given me. So, thank you very much. I love it. It's exactly what I wanted.”
Keep reading for a closer look at Taylor and Travis’ romance.