It’s as if ESPN planned it that way.
Moments after they aired a package about Khalen Saunders’ brother, Kameron, being a backup dancer on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the Saints defensive tackle recorded his first career interception in the third quarter of the Monday night’s game against the Chiefs.
With Swift in the building and her “Guy on the Chiefs” on the field, ESPN found a way to work into the broadcast another Swift connection by talking about Saunders’ brother.
Like clockwork, Saunders managed to pick off a ball in the end zone and return the interception to the Saints 35-yard line.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ pass got knocked out of the hands of JuJu Smith-Schuster and into the waiting arms of Saunders, who chugged out of the end zone and broke two tackles before he was finally taken down.
According to Next Gen Stats, Saunders reached a top speed of 15.79 mph at 324 pounds making him the third-fastest ball carrier to weigh above 320 pounds since 2016.
Kameron has been a choreographer and dancer on three Swift tours, including the current Eras Tour, according to the Saints website.
Prior to Monday’s game, Saunders was adamant that his brother would be cheering him on.
“Me, of course,” Saunders told reporters. “He don’t care about the Chiefs. He cares about his brother. That’s his boss, but I’m his brother. I was here first. Hopefully, [Taylor] will be there. If not, [Kam] will be on my side cheering.
“He ain’t gonna be cheering for the Chiefs — even though he actually does have a key to the city in St. Louis and Kansas City too, but that’s beyond the point. He’s gonna be cheering for me because I’m paying for his ticket.”
The interception did lead to a Saints touchdown, which briefly pulled them within three of the Chiefs.