Stephen A. Smith has come to the aid of 12-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift amid the criticism she has faced for attending Kansas Chiefs tight end and boyfriend Travis Kelce’s games.Â
Swift has been regularly spotted cheering for Kelce at the games after he revealed that he invited her to see him play at Arrowhead Stadium. She went on to make a surprise appearance at last year’s September 24 match and enjoyed the contest from Kelce’s suite alongside his mother, Donna.
On October 1, she attended the NFL game for the second time for her boyfriend a handful of her celebrity friends accompanied her which included Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sophie Turner. She also bought her family for his games in December, including her dad, Scott, and brother, Austin.
Stephen A. Smith defends Taylor Swift
During a segment on ESPN’s First Take, Smith backed Taylor Swift and addressed the backlash she has faced for attending Travis Kelce’s NFL games.
“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. That Eras Tour? Off the chain, [it] generated billions.”
Smith went on to shed praise on her talent and shared his experience at one of her concerts.
“Now, there is only one Beyoncé to 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 56-year-old went on to share his thoughts on Taylor Swift getting attention from the NFL and fans.
“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 on Travis Kelce’s performance, okay? I’m not trying to disrespect Taylor Swift.”
📹| @stephenasmith defends @taylorswift13 against the criticisms of her attending Chiefs games.
"I have to take a moment to come to the defense of Taylor Swift. Everybody's sitting up there and acting like she's some kind of impediment and, excuse me, she did her job! That Eras… pic.twitter.com/CujqQ6sM7H
— Taylor Swift Updates 🩵 (@swifferupdates) January 10, 2024
📹| @stephenasmith defends @taylorswift13 against the criticisms of her attending Chiefs games.
"I have to take a moment to come to the defense of Taylor Swift. Everybody's sitting up there and acting like she's some kind of impediment and, excuse me, she did her job! That Eras… pic.twitter.com/CujqQ6sM7H
— Taylor Swift Updates 🩵 (@swifferupdates) January 10, 2024
