The 2023 NFL season had it all, from bad blood and karma to love stories.
No, we’re not talking about the feud between C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Deebo Samuel, nor are we discussing Brandon Aiyuk’s affection for ladybugs. We’re talking about Taylor Swift.
The international music star has been taking center stage this campaign as she supports Travis Kelce, her boyfriend and star Chiefs tight end, from afar. With the romance in full swing between the two, she has been plastered all over the internet. That’s not stopping anytime soon, as Kansas City earned a spot in Super Bowl 58, where it will play San Francisco in a rematch of Super Bowl 54.
As a result of Swift’s extensive camera time on her, there have been plenty of dads, Brad and Chads complaining about the NFL’s coverage of Swift. Whether it is a three-second cut on a broadcast, or a simple post on Instagram, a certain section of football fanatics have not shied away from voicing their displeasure with Swift’s involvement in the sport.
However, while plenty of people hide behind their profile to bash a woman for *checks notes* supporting her man, there have been just as many using their platform to denounce these haters. Ahead of the conference championship weekend, former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt spoke out about those dissing Swift and her involvement in football.
The most recent example came from ESPN analyst Pat McAfee, who willingly came to the aid of Swift after the AFC championship. This came after Swift was the subject of taunts and heckles by Baltimore fans about her “ruining football” after the Ravens’ elimination to the Chiefs.
MORE: Ravens fans heckle Taylor Swift after AFC Championship loss
“The most successful woman on earth right now happens to be dating the greatest tight end of all time… Why is everybody so mad about it? I’m sick of people being mad about it… Taylor (Swift) is a part of the football world now. This is good news, not bad news.” – Pat McAfee pic.twitter.com/UPIvtanwBy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 29, 2024
“The most successful woman on earth right now happens to be dating the greatest tight end of all time, who is on the current dynasty,” McAfee said. “Why is everybody so mad about it? I’m sick of people being mad about it. What are we even talking about?”
This is old news at this point. Ever since the rumblings of a potential love interest between Swift and Kelce started back in the early weeks of the season, fans have been huffing and puffing about seeing the pair all over their screens.
“At the beginning, I could see [the hate],” McAfee said. “‘Oh, she’s releasing a movie? Oh, he’s on 14 commercials? Oh we’re getting worked right now, the NFL, a bunch of bums, shoving it down our throats’ … I could see that.
“But did you see them yesterday … They are in actual love. I’m so happy that the world got to see [them together].”
MORE: Airlines creating Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce-themed promos for Super Bowl flights
Swift made her stance very clear on the matter — she can not, should not and will not be bothered by the asinine comments from people in person and online. They can throw a hissy fit all they want; she is doing the same exact thing as the other thousands of fans in the stands.
“Taylor is a part of the football world now,” McAfee said. “This is good news, not bad news.”
McAfee is right — quit complaining about seeing a woman supporting her boyfriend, and, instead, embrace the fact that the sport of football is growing more than ever and reaching new heights thanks to Swift.
