Saints' Khalen Saunders Says His Brother, Taylor Swift's Dancer, Will Cheer for Him vs. Chiefs: 'I Was Here First'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders ; Taylor Swift.Photo:Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty; David Eulitt/Getty

Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty; David Eulitt/Getty

Saints’Khalen Saunderssays his brotherKameron— who dances onTaylor Swift’s Eras Tour — will be cheering for New Orleans over Kansas City when the two teams play each other on Monday Night Football.Khalen, 28, immediately said, “Me, of course,” when NBC reporterFletcher Mackelasked about where his brother’s loyalty lies ahead of the matchup between Khalen’s new team, the Saints, and his former team, the Chiefs, where Swift’s boyfriendTravis Kelceplays.The Saints defensive tackle continued, “He don’t care about the Chiefs, he cares about his brother,” noting that while Swift might Kameron’s “boss” on the Eras Tour, “I’m his brother.““I was here first,” Khalen said teasingly, before adding that Swift will “hopefully” be at the game at Arrowhead Stadium after she missed the Chiefs' last two road games of the season.“But if not, yeah, he’s going to be on my side,” Khalen continued. And while his brother was gifted a “key to the city in Kansas City,” Khalen said, “that’s beyond the point.““He ain’t going to be cheering for the Chiefs…He’s going to be cheering for me because I’m paying for his ticket.“Kameron, 32, is a fan-favorite dancer on Swift’s tour, and even performed alongsideKelce, 34, — his brother’s former teammate — when the tight endmade his on-stage debut with Swiftin London on June 23.After Kelce’s performance with Swift and Kameron — a transition sequence before Swift performs her hit song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” — one fan pointed out on social media that Kelce has now performed with both Saunders brothers.Kelce and Khalen played together from 2019 until 2023, when Khalen left the Chiefs for a three-year contract with the Saints. In their seasons together, the pair took home two Super Bowls wins alongside quarterbackPatrick Mahomes.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Khalen has been a strong supporter of his brother’s career and the tour with Swift. In March 2023, before Swift had even met Kelce, Khalen took his daughter and his wife to watch Kameron and Swift perform during the first leg of the tour.Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Kam Saunders.Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty"Just to think, my babies have seen their dad AND their Tete Goofy perform on a world stage,” Khalen wrote at the time, sharing videos of Kameron dancing and his daughter proudly watching her uncle. “Excellent show last night@taylorswiftyou might really be the 🐐.““And to my big brother, continue to inspire,” Khalen added. “Myself, all those hopeful dancers, and the rest of the world needs people like you to look to when you need hope. Love you ❤️🤞🏾"Kameron appreciated his little brother’s words, replying, “Thank you! I love you with all I have! ❤️.“The Chiefs and Saints kick off their Monday Night Football matchup on Oct. 7 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Saints’Khalen Saunderssays his brotherKameron— who dances onTaylor Swift’s Eras Tour — will be cheering for New Orleans over Kansas City when the two teams play each other on Monday Night Football.

Khalen, 28, immediately said, “Me, of course,” when NBC reporterFletcher Mackelasked about where his brother’s loyalty lies ahead of the matchup between Khalen’s new team, the Saints, and his former team, the Chiefs, where Swift’s boyfriendTravis Kelceplays.

The Saints defensive tackle continued, “He don’t care about the Chiefs, he cares about his brother,” noting that while Swift might Kameron’s “boss” on the Eras Tour, “I’m his brother.”

“I was here first,” Khalen said teasingly, before adding that Swift will “hopefully” be at the game at Arrowhead Stadium after she missed the Chiefs' last two road games of the season.

“But if not, yeah, he’s going to be on my side,” Khalen continued. And while his brother was gifted a “key to the city in Kansas City,” Khalen said, “that’s beyond the point.”

“He ain’t going to be cheering for the Chiefs…He’s going to be cheering for me because I’m paying for his ticket.”

Kameron, 32, is a fan-favorite dancer on Swift’s tour, and even performed alongsideKelce, 34, — his brother’s former teammate — when the tight endmade his on-stage debut with Swiftin London on June 23.

After Kelce’s performance with Swift and Kameron — a transition sequence before Swift performs her hit song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” — one fan pointed out on social media that Kelce has now performed with both Saunders brothers.

Kelce and Khalen played together from 2019 until 2023, when Khalen left the Chiefs for a three-year contract with the Saints. In their seasons together, the pair took home two Super Bowls wins alongside quarterbackPatrick Mahomes.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Khalen has been a strong supporter of his brother’s career and the tour with Swift. In March 2023, before Swift had even met Kelce, Khalen took his daughter and his wife to watch Kameron and Swift perform during the first leg of the tour.

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Kam Saunders.Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty

Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty

“Just to think, my babies have seen their dad AND their Tete Goofy perform on a world stage,” Khalen wrote at the time, sharing videos of Kameron dancing and his daughter proudly watching her uncle. “Excellent show last night@taylorswiftyou might really be the 🐐.““And to my big brother, continue to inspire,” Khalen added. “Myself, all those hopeful dancers, and the rest of the world needs people like you to look to when you need hope. Love you ❤️🤞🏾”

Kameron appreciated his little brother’s words, replying, “Thank you! I love you with all I have! ❤️.”

The Chiefs and Saints kick off their Monday Night Football matchup on Oct. 7 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

source: people.com