The Cincinnati Bearcats, the college home to both Kelce brothers, have joined in on the buzz surrounding Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s recent engagement.
With the Chiefs’ tight end already preparing to attend the Bearcats’ season opener, the team celebrated his news in a way only a college football program could.
Travis Kelce’s Cincinnati Career
Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end confirmed the news with Swift on Instagram, Cincinnati’s official athletics account posted a clever graphic on X (formerly Twitter) that quickly went viral.
he’s gonna need a new sign š pic.twitter.com/uVSfIiBWVA
ā Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) August 26, 2025
“He’s gonna need a new sign š,” the Bearcats wrote, alongside side-by-side images of a fan holding up two versions of a sign. The first read, “Taylor Swift Dates Bearcats”, while the second was edited to read, “Taylor Swift Marries Bearcats.”
For Kelce’s alma mater, the playful post was the perfect way to acknowledge their most famous football alum and his new life milestone.
Congratulations to Travis and Taylor š¤š
(via @tkelce, @taylorswift13) pic.twitter.com/FIxP658jFr
ā NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2025
Before becoming one of the NFL’s most dominant tight ends, Travis Kelce stood outĀ at Cincinnati from 2008 to 2012. His career with the Bearcats was filled with both challenges and highlights that shaped him into the player he is today.
- 2009: Appeared in 11 games, splitting time at tight end and quarterback in the Wildcat formation. Rushed eight times for 47 yards and two touchdowns, while adding his first career reception for three yards.
- 2010: Did not play due to a violation of team rules, forcing him to redshirt the season.
- 2011: Returned as a tight end, catching 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. His season highlight came against Miami (Ohio), where he hauled in a 30-yard touchdown.
- 2012: Cemented his place in Bearcats history by setting the UC single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end. He posted 722 yards on 45 receptions, including eight touchdowns. His best performance came against Syracuse, where he recorded 77 yards and two scores.
That breakout 2012 season propelled Kelce into the NFL Draft, where the Kansas City Chiefs selected him. Since then, he has become a 10-time Pro Bowler, three-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the most recognizable figures in football.
A Full-Circle Moment at Arrowhead
Kelce’s Bearcats connection will take center stage once again this fall. Cincinnati is set to open its 2025 season on August 28 against Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium, the same venue Kelce has called home for over a decade with the Chiefs.
Kelce has already confirmed he’ll attend the game, this time with Taylor Swift by his side. The engagement news only adds to the spectacle, with Bearcats fans and Swifties expected to turn the season opener into a major event.
Cincinnati’s Unique Tribute
The Bearcats’ social media team has earned praise for its lighthearted tribute. By referencing a fan-favorite sign and updating it to fit Kelce’s personal life, Cincinnati struck the perfect balance between humor and celebration.
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It also showed how proud the program is of its connection to Kelce, who has become an NFL superstar and even a pop culture icon.
Travis Kelce’s engagement to Taylor Swift has captured headlines worldwide, and his alma mater wasn’t about to stay silent. With a clever nod to his playing days, the Cincinnati Bearcats joined the celebration in style. With Kelce expected back at Arrowhead to support his former team, the connection between the Bearcats, Kelce, and now Swift has never been stronger.
