The father of two and grandfather of four recently spent time with his sons Travis and Jason Kelce at the American Century Championship

Taylor Swift stands next to Ed Kelce, father of Travis Kelce, during pregame warmups prior to the regular season game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens

Ed Kelce says being in Taylor Swift’s orbit is “surreal”
Travis Kelce’s father called the superstar a “very special person” in an interview conducted at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, Calif. earlier this month
Ed spoke to PEOPLE in 2023 about the positive first impression Swift made on him

Ed Kelce has come a long way since the day he didn’t recognize Taylor Swift when she walked into his son Travis Kelce’s home.

But two years into the NFL star and the music superstar’s relationship, “Papa” Kelce is still getting used to the spotlight.

“It borders on the surreal,” Ed, 74, told the Daily Mail on Monday, July 21. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts about that … it’s pretty crazy when you stop and think about it.”

He added about Swift, “She is a very special person. One of the most giving and caring people I’ve ever met.”

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The father of two and grandfather of four spent quality time with Travis and his elder son, Jason Kelce, while they competed in the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, Calif. earlier this month.

Every year that the Kelces descend on the celebrity tournament, the crowds get larger and eager fans clamor for their attention.

What’s become an annual summer tradition for the brothers — before Jason heads back to the Monday Night Countdown booth and Travis returns to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 13th year — had the eldest Kelce looking back on how all of their lives have changed.

Ed Kelce attends Wondery x The New Heights House Party, Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce attend Amazon's Upfront 2025 Presentation

Ed, Jason and Travis Kelce.Michael Loccisano/Getty; Slaven Vlasic/Getty

In 2023, he shared with PEOPLE his first impression of the “Fortnight” singer, when the two spent time in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium during a game.

“I’ll tell you something very special that I noticed about Taylor the first time I met her,” Kelce told PEOPLE at the time. “We’re sitting in the suite, she gets up and in the front room, she gets up to go get a drink or something and she starts picking up empty bottles, cans, plates that are scattered around. Because in the suites everybody gets stuff and you empty it down wherever you can.”

He added about the “very genuine” Swift: “And I’m just thinking, I don’t think she got the diva memo. She didn’t get the spoiled musician. She doesn’t know how to pull that off. And that really to me said a whole lot.”

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