Charissa Thompson Reveals ‘Apropos’ Way She Found Out Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Got Engaged: ‘Beautiful to See’ (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

  • Charissa Thompson reveals to PEOPLE the “apropos” way she found out Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged
  • The NFL broadcaster previously joked that she and Erin Andrews were “responsible” for their relationship, to which the tight end told them, “I owe you guys big time”
  • She also spoke about her work with State Farm and Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football

The definition of a full-circle moment.

Charissa Thompson revealed to PEOPLE the “apropos” way she found out about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s engagement after previously joking that she and her friend Erin Andrews are “responsible” for their relationship.

“I was at my ranch. I have a ranch where I rescue animals,” the NFL host, 43, tells PEOPLE, beginning to set the scene two weeks after news broke that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end proposed to the pop superstar.

“I don’t normally have my phone with me all the time when I’m up there. It’s one of the luxuries of being up there is going off the grid,” she continues. “But I happened to be in the kitchen and Erin [Andrews] and I were texting about it because we found out at the same time.”

Charissa Thompson looks on from set of the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 19, 2024

Charissa Thompson looks on from set of the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 19, 2024

Charissa Thompson.

Cooper Neill/Getty


“So it was sort of apropos that we’ve obviously always advocated and hoped that they would fall in love and live happily ever after,” she gushes, excitedly adding, “And it actually happened!”

Thompson, who teamed up with State Farm and Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football for its latest campaign, previously shared during a May 2024 episode of The Tonight Show that she and Andrews played matchmaker for the couple.

The NFL commentators’ words came after host Jimmy Fallon asked them, “You guys predicted Kelce and Taylor?”

“Yes Jimmy, we are responsible,” replied Thompson, who then explained alongside Andrews how they’ve known the Chiefs star for years as NFL sideline reporters. The duo also host a podcast together where they implored Swift to date Kelce ever since the tight end mentioned on New Heights that he wanted to meet the superstar singer.

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews jimmy fallon 05 23 24

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews jimmy fallon 05 23 24

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews on Jimmy Fallon.

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty


“We were advocating early on,” she said on the show. “And he was very sweet and he commented and he was like, ‘I owe you guys big time,’ so then of course everyone gives us credit. We, you know, we’ll take the credit. But I just love both of them and I’m so happy to see them happy.”

Since then, Thompson — who coincidently stars in State Farm’s “Bold Predictions” campaign — has been supportive of the power couple in the years that followed, from when they sparked romance rumors in September 2023 to now.

Related Stories

Travis Kelce on Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Jokingly Taking Credit for Taylor Swift Romance: ‘The Best’
travis kelce Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews

travis kelce Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews


Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson Gush About Their Vacation with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1980 -- Pictured: (l-r) Sports commentators Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews pose together backstage on Thursday, May 23, 2024; Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1980 -- Pictured: (l-r) Sports commentators Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews pose together backstage on Thursday, May 23, 2024; Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

“It’s been so fun to watch,” says Thompson, who often gushes about Swift and Kelce’s romance on their Calm Down podcast and cheered for their engagement on the latest episode.

The sports reporters, in fact, have a close relationship with the high-profile pair beyond the NFL sidelines. They even vacationed with them in Montana during the offseason, as seen in a photo shared by Kelce.

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews pose together backstage on Thursday, May 23, 2024

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews pose together backstage on Thursday, May 23, 2024

Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews.

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty


“We just adore them both personally,” Thompson tells PEOPLE of her and Andrew’s feelings about the newly-engaged couple. “They both in their own respective rights have so much success, but to watch them be each other’s biggest champion has been so beautiful to watch.”

She adds, “They’re just so in love with each other, and it’s beautiful to see.”

Elsewhere in her interview with PEOPLE, Thompson raves about her return to a State Farm spot as part of the company’s latest campaign focused on this season’s message: “Having insurance isn’t the same as having State Farm.”

“It was a no-brainer to align with them because I actually am a customer, and not to mention, I love their spots,” she says of the team up. “They’re always so creative and the spots are great. I just love being a part of the brand.”