After mentoring Travis Kelce, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe says the tight end is more than prepared for the attention that comes with dating pop superstar Taylor Swift.

“I don’t know her personally, but for him — knowing him the way I do — I don’t think he involves himself with somebody that’s not of the highest quality and a person of good character,” Sharpe, 55, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting his upcoming Super Bowl commercial with OIKOS. “I think they make a cute couple.”

Kelce’s star has been on the rise in recent years amid his professional success playing for the Kansas City Chiefs and competing against his brother, Jason Kelce, in the 2023 Super Bowl LVII. However, Sharpe knows that dating Swift brought the 34-year-old athlete to a new level of recognizability.

“I think he’s handled it well,” Sharpe said. “As long as you understand the main thing is the main thing. Don’t forget now: you’re a football player. Now, I understand that he’s dating Taylor Swift, and she’s as big as we have in the universe, but your job still requires you to be great at playing the game of football. And I think he’s done a great job of that.”

Sharpe believes Travis’ talent was always bound to attract attention. “When you are great, you’re used to being in the spotlight. Now, this is a different type of spotlight,” the former Broncos tight end told Us. “It’s a lot hotter when you deal with someone of her magnitude. I think she’s great. … I’m very excited for him, but I think he’s done a great job because he understands the scrutiny that was going to come along with it.”

Swift, 34, started dating Travis last summer and took their relationship public when she started attending Chiefs games in the fall. While some of the “dads, Brads and Chads,” as the singer recently dubbed them, take issue with Swift’s attendance, Sharpe said her presence isn’t a distraction.

“They lose a game, [some will say] it’s because of her; And they win a game, [some will ask], ‘Why [are] the cameras on her?’ But I like it,” Sharpe said. “I like it for him. I like her being at the game. She brings a different set of eyeballs to the game. There are a lot of young girls and women that are watching the NFL football that could care less about that. And so the NFL’s, like, ‘Hey, if we get new eyeballs, we get new customers, we’re onboard.’ But the increased attention, I think he’s handled it very well.”