Bill Simmons Playfully Comments on Travis Kelce’s ‘Wood’ After Swift’s Album Release
Bill Simmons took a lighthearted jab at Travis Kelce during a recent episode of his podcast, referencing the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end in relation to a song from Taylor Swift's latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Kelce, 36, is rumored to be the inspiration behind the track titled "Wood," which has sparked considerable chatter among fans and commentators alike. "It’s a little bit of a deep cut on the Taylor Swift album," Simmons remarked on October 13, explaining the song's controversial nature. "People thought it was about Travis Kelce’s healthy manhood."
During the Chiefs' game against the Detroit Lions on October 12, Simmons and his friends had some fun with the song's implications. "We were just calling him Wood the whole game," he quipped. "It was very enjoyable. It’s like, '[Patrick] Mahomes, get it to Wood!' This clearly should be his nickname."
Simmons continued, "She wrote this whole gushing love song about his sexual prowess. He should just be Travis 'Wood' Kelce. I mean, you see why Taylor’s smiling. Wood’s just getting it done." The playful commentary highlights the intersection of sports and pop culture, especially given Swift's massive fanbase.
While Swift has not explicitly confirmed that "Wood" is about Kelce, the lyrics suggest a personal connection. "Seems to be that you and me, we make our own luck / New heights of manhood," she sings, likely alluding to the podcast Kelce cohosts with his brother, Jason.
Further lines, such as "Redwood tree, it ain’t hard to see / His love was the key that opened my thighs," have led to speculation about the song's true meaning. However, not everyone shares Simmons' enthusiasm for the track. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressed his discomfort in an Instagram video, questioning the appropriateness of the song's subject matter.
"It’s about Travis’ d***?" Portnoy asked incredulously. "No. No. I’m not bobbing and weaving and jamming to a song about Travis’ d***." His reaction contrasts sharply with Simmons' playful take.
On their podcast episode from October 8, Travis and Jason Kelce discussed the song's implications. Jason asked his brother if he felt "cocky" about being referenced in "Wood." Travis responded vaguely, but Jason pressed on, emphasizing the specificity of the lyrics.
"Well, it’s not just you, though," Jason pointed out. "It’s an appendage. It’s a very specific thing." He humorously suggested that Swift's use of "redwood" as a descriptor was "generous," adding a layer of sibling banter to the conversation.
Jason concluded with a laugh, "I think if someone wrote a song about me, it would be like Japanese maple." Despite the playful teasing, he acknowledged the quality of the song itself, praising its beat and overall composition.
