It was a moment that felt almost scripted for primetime television. "Monday Night Football" color commentator Troy Aikman had just finished a planned segment highlighting New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Khalen Saunders and his brother Kameron — who backup dances for pop sensation and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's girlfriend Taylor Swift.
Then, what do you know, Saunders was on the receiving end of a tipped pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the endzone. He went rumblin, bumblin, stumblin down the right sideline nearly to midfield on the return.
After his brother was highlighted for being a backup dancer for Taylor Swift Khalen Saunders picks off Patrick Mahomes!
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) October 8, 2024
(🎥: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/J8jb2kT7hW
"I asked him who [Kameron] was rooting for and he told me, '[Taylor's] his boss, I'm his brother, I was here first,'" Aikman recalled of his conversation with Saunders pre-game.
To make things even more ironic, the play prior to the interception featured Saunders practically pile driving Kelce just a couple yards from the goal line to prevent a Kansas City touchdown. You just can't write anything better (or can you, NFL?).
The internet loses its mind over the anti-Swift turnover
Of course, Twitter did its thing right on cue when Saunders made the big play. And the reactions were certainly amplified by the fact that Swift is in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium.
No. Way….Big Man INT after the story about his bro being a dancer for Taylor Swift!!!
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) October 8, 2024
Big man on the move!!!
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) October 8, 2024
“Taylor Swift’s backup dancer’s brother Khalen Saunders just tackled her boyfriend Travis Kelce to stop him from scoring a touchdown. On the next play, he intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the end zone.”
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 8, 2024
Did not anticipate explaining that to Kealia when she walked down the stairs.
I did not think the big fella should take that out of the end zone. Helluva return 50
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 8, 2024
The swiftie accounts will have frame-by-frame analysis of that interception by night’s end
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 8, 2024
Reminds me one of the best moments in NFL history 🥲 https://t.co/QxOdA2Zm8e pic.twitter.com/dAWtqlxVil
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) October 8, 2024
the Saunders brothers are DYNAMIC ATHLETES pic.twitter.com/fnaquk3pLA
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) October 8, 2024
On a serious note, Saunders run after the pick was absolutely insane by measurable metrics. Who says the big boys can't run?
At 324 pounds, Khalen Saunders reached a top speed of 15.79 mph on his 36-yard interception, the 3rd-fastest speed by a ball carrier who weighs over 320 pounds since 2016.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 8, 2024
The interception increased the @Saints win probability from 5.1% to 15.0% (+9.9%).
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/14JmFXZCxa
But of course football fans online had some fun with that incredible stat too. The internet truly remains undefeated.
According to a website calculator that I found, Saunders moving at 16 mph at 320 lbs generates exactly the same amt of force as taylor swift sprinting w a football at Usain Bolts world record 27.78 mph https://t.co/LAqx59jPZG
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) October 8, 2024
Saunders' efforts were mightily appreciated by the Saints offense as quarterback Derek Carr cashed in on the extra possession, tossing a six yard touchdown pass to tight end Foster Moreau at the start of the fourth quarter.
Saints make it a one-score game!
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024
📺: #NOvsKC on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ftRbfSz8pI
Unfortunately, Saunders' clutch contribution wasn't enough to spark the Saints to complete the comeback. Kansas City held on for a 26-13 win, but hopefully there's no bad blood between the two squads.