CMA Awards hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning get the crowd roaring as they ... trends now
CMA Awards hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning had the crowd roaring as they brought up lovebirds Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during their opening monologue.
Swift, 33, and Kelce, 34, have been the talk of the town — and social media — since kicking off their unlikely romance in late September after weeks of dating rumors.
Bryan and Manning joked that the only reason they were co-hosting the ceremony for a second year in a row was because the pop superstar and the NFL hunk 'weren't unavailable.'
'We are back, and you know what that means...,' Manning began, with Bryan adding: 'Yup, Travis and Taylor weren't available.'
That wasn't the only nod to Swift as the dynamic duo brought up her sold-out Eras Tour concert at MetLife Stadium in May — and shaded one of the stadium's home teams.
Ha! CMA Awards hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning had the crowd roaring as they brought up lovebirds Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during their opening monologue
Talk of the town: Swift, 33, and Kelce, 34, have been the talk of the town — and social media — since kicking off their unlikely romance in late September after weeks of dating rumors; seen in October
'Luke, do you know the difference between Taylor Swift and the New York Jets,' Manny asked the country crooner.
Bryan quipped: 'Uh, Taylor can sell out a stadium.'
Manning — who is a former professional quarterback that now boasts a net worth of $300million after an 18-year career in the NFL — revealed explained why Bryan was the one to fire off that particular zinger.
'You nailed it. I had you do that punchline, Luke, so I wouldn't get in trouble,' the athlete teased.
Despite the light heartedness, the joke appeared to offend the New York Jets corporation, who fired off a response at Manning on their X account.
'what are we talking about Peyton,' they tweeted, adding a photo of a packed MetLife Stadium from a previous football game.
The 57th annual Country Music Association Awards were held on Wednesday night at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
Along with performances, the event also featured a star-studded red carpet that included appearances by Wynonna Judd, Kelsea Ballerini and Nicole Kidman.
For their hosting gig, Manning and Bryan were dressed to the nines, with the former rocking a tuxedo and the latter turning heads in a black sequin suit jacket.
'Weren't available': Bryan and Manning joked that the only reason they were co-hosting the ceremony for a second year in a row was because the pop superstar and the NFL hunk 'weren't unavailable'
'We are back, and you know what that means...,' Manning began, with Bryan adding: 'Yup, Travis and Taylor weren't available'
They are among the latest celebs to comment on Swift and Kelce's much talked about relationship.
Yesterday, sportscaster Erin Andrews — who has taken credit for setting up the pair after begging Swift to give Kelce a chance — said that Kelce is looking better than ever since he started dating Swift.
'He's having a real glow-up. He looks great,' she told The Messenger.
The romance kicked off in September, months after Kelce shared that he'd tried to give her his number when she brought her Eras Tour to Missouri in July.
To her fans' surprise, Swift decided to give the NFL hunk a chance and the pair have since been spotted on several date nights and she's supported him at his games.
Erin then recalled texting Kelce to express her approval and to let him know how happy she is for him.
'I texted him and said, "You know I love you and I'm happy you're having fun." He's just such a great dude, and that's why we were so open about like, "Hey, Taylor, go on a date with our friend,"' she said.
Kelce was recently asked about the 'status' of their relationship and if he's 'in love' with the Anti-Hero singer.
Shady! That wasn't the only nod to Swift as the dynamic duo brought up her sold-out Eras Tour concert at MetLife Stadium in May (pictured) — and shaded one of the stadium's home teams
