Stephen A. Smith and Taylor Swift.Photo:Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
AddStephen A. Smith’s name to the list of Swifties!
The television personality, 56, defendedTaylor Swiftwhile addressing the criticism she has faced for attending Kansas Chiefs tight end and boyfriendTravis Kelce’s games during asegment on ESPN’sFirst Take.
“I have to take a moment to come to the defense of Taylor Swift,” said Smith. “Everybody’s sitting up there and acting like she’s some kind of impediment, and, excuse me, she did her job. ThatEras Tour? Off the chain, [it]generated billions.”
Taylor Swift watches the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 31, 2023.Jamie Squire/Getty
Jamie Squire/Getty
“Now, there is only oneBeyoncéto me. Beyoncé all day, every day, but Taylor Swift was phenomenal.I went to the concert. I see these kids; they absolutely love her. The concert was absolutely positively phenomenal, off the chain. She did her job. She’s going to support her dude,” he said.
The sports journalist expressed that the attention Swift, 34, gets from the NFL and fans while attending Kelce’s games “ain’t her fault.”
“It’s not like she used the games to bump up the concerts. Oh no! Those kids were going to her concerts whether the NFL was promoting her or not,” said Smith. “Taylor Swift is that girl. Let’s show some respect. She probably is gonna have a positive impact onTravis Kelce’s performance, okay? I’m not trying to disrespect Taylor Swift.”
Travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2023.Jamie Squire/Getty
Swift has regularly attended the athlete’s games after he revealedduring an interviewonThe Pat McAfee Showthat heinvited her to see him play at Arrowhead Stadium. She made asurprise appearanceat his Sept. 24 game and enjoyed the view fromKelce’s suite alongside his mother, Donna.
For his Oct. 1 game (her second game in attendance), shebought a handful of her celebrity friends, includingBlake Lively,Ryan Reynolds,Hugh Jackman,Sabrina Carpenter, andSophie Turner. She also bought her family for his games in December, includingher dad, Scott, andbrother, Austin.
Kelce, 34,addressed the attention to her presence at his gamesduring an episode ofNew Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.
Taylor Swift with her dad Scott at Travis Kelce’s game on December 17, 2023.Maddie Meyer/Getty
Maddie Meyer/Getty
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“I think it’s fun when they show who was at the game. I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you’re watching,” he told his brotherJasonbefore agreeing that the NFL was “overdoing it.”
“They’re overdoing it a little bit for sure, especially my situation. [But] I think they’re just trying to have fun with it,” he suggested.
source: people.com
