(NewsNation) — American Eagle has announced a collaboration with NFL player Travis Kelce following on the heels of Kelce’s engagement to Taylor Swift and controversy over the company’s previous ad campaign.
The company described the collection as reflecting Kelce’s “live to play” philosophy and is being created in collaboration with Kelce’s Tru Kolors brand.
The Kansas City Chiefs player will be joined by fellow athletes in the ad campaign for the collection, including tennis player Anna Frey, basketball player Azzi Fudd, football players Drew Allard and Jeremiah Smith, basketball prospect Kiyan Anthony and gold-medal gymnast Suni Lee.
The tight end served as creative director for “AE x TK by Travis Kelce” with the clothing company, American Eagle said in a press release.
He launched his sportswear and lifestyle brand in 2019, according to the company.
The line will feature over 90 pieces, including varsity jackets, vintage-inspired tees and cashmere sets, the company revealed.
Travis Kelce and American Eagle partner after Sydney Sweeney controversy
Kelce and American Eagle’s partnership comes amid the company being in hot water with a current campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
Last month, an American Eagle ad featuring garnered backlash over a tagline that some say has racial undertones.
American Eagle’s fall campaign features the “Anyone But You” actress in head-to-toe denim, standing beside a billboard that reads “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” She crosses out “genes” and replaces it with “jeans,” highlighting the brand’s signature denim.
Social media users almost immediately commented on the advertisement, saying it evoked eugenics-era language that promoted the idea that white beauty standards were superior to others, according to Salon.
“Who on your marketing team said this was a good idea,” one social media user wrote under American Eagle’s Instagram post.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift get engaged
The news was revealed just a day after Kelce shared his engagement to music superstar Taylor Swift, a relationship that has elevated his profile beyond just sports enthusiasts.
Swift and Kelce wrote on their social media pages, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
Photos show Kelce down on one knee proposing to the “Lover” singer in a garden adorned with pink and white roses.
Kelce and Swift began dating and went public with their relationship in October 2023, when the pair was seen holding hands in New York City after a “Saturday Night Live” afterparty, according to People magazine at the time.
In July 2023, the football player was seen at her “Eras Tour” at Arrowhead Stadium, where he was watching the show from his private box as well as trading friendship bracelets with fans, People magazine reported.
Kelce had said on his “New Heights” podcast that he didn’t get to connect with Swift after her show.