Legendary NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe recently expressed his gratitude for the attention that Taylor Swift has brought to football. In an interview with Variety on the red carpet of 'Verizon Presents: Run the Playlist Live' event, Bledsoe called it 'entirely a positive thing' and commended Swift for dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end and future Hall of Famer, Travis Kelce.
Bledsoe believes that the spotlight on their relationship is not only a cool story but has also drawn more attention to the game, particularly among women. As a father himself, Bledsoe initially felt annoyed when networks frequently showed Swift during games, but he soon realized the positive impact she was making.
'Arguably the most famous person in the world, [Swift] has brought in a lot of new people watching the game,' Bledsoe admits. 'Especially a lot of daughters who would never have been interested in a football game. All of a sudden, they're sitting there with dad watching the game – and that's been incredible.'
While Bledsoe doesn't personally know Swift, he considers Kelce an 'amazing human' and credits him, along with other NFL stars today, for being strategic about their careers and personal brands. Bledsoe highlights a shift in athletes' mindset, explaining that they are now more thoughtful about building something for life after sports.
'In the past, you just played ball as long as you could, and then would try to figure it out,' Bledsoe says. He exemplifies this shift by discussing his own post-football plans. Bledsoe began developing a wine business, now known as Bledsoe Family Wines, while still in his playing career. This allowed him to seamlessly transition into the wine business after retiring from the NFL.
'I did not want to fail at the second phase of life,' Bledsoe shares, acknowledging the common narrative of athletes struggling after their playing days are over. By planning ahead and pursuing his passion for wine, Bledsoe ensured a successful transition and a prosperous second career.
The interview took place at the 'Run the Playlist Live' event, which marked the end of Verizon's four-day Super Bowl activation. Known as 'Verizon Live,' the event provided a platform for Verizon customers to engage with talent and content from partners such as Netflix, Max, and Apple Music. In addition to panels, parties, and meet-and-greets, Verizon also promoted its bundle options, offering customers discounted access to popular streaming services.
Overall, Bledsoe's perspective on the attention Swift brings to football and athletes' forward-thinking strategies for their careers sheds light on the dynamic nature of the industry. Through his personal experiences and observations, he emphasizes the importance of planning for life beyond the game, ensuring a successful future both on and off the field.
