Featured Image Credit: TikTok/espn / Gotham/GC Images/Getty
Topics: Celebrity, Football, NFL, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Sex and Relationships, Sport
Emily Brown
Topics: Celebrity, Football, NFL, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Sex and Relationships, Sport
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith had the perfect response for any Taylor Swift haters after the NFL gave Travis Kelce a new name in her honor.
Swift has been getting a lot of attention for her efforts to support Kelce at Kansas City Chiefs games over the last few months, where she's been spotted in the crowd cheering him on.
Any other supportive partner probably wouldn't get a tenth of the airtime, but Swift's status as a massive pop star has left the cameras desperate to get a shot of her, so much so that Golden Globes host Jo Koy decided to make a joke out of it.
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In keeping with the trend, the NFL came up with a new nickname for the tight end in a preview video for this weekend's Chiefs game against the Dolphins.
In the clip, the narrator discusses how Miami has given up seven touchdowns to tight ends so far this season.
They continue: "Now they take on Travis Swift. Kelce (has) second most yards for a tight end in 2023."
The reference to Kelce as 'Travis Swift' immediately caught the attention of NFL fans, with one writing on X: "Not the NFL calling him Travis Swift Kelce."
Another added: "Delete. How unprofessional of the NFL! We shouldn't give them views or promote this."
Many other viewers have criticized Swift being given airtime at the football games, but Smith hit back with his thoughts on the singer while on air for ESPN.
In a video shared on TikTok, the presenter defended Swift and pointed out it wasn't her fault the cameras picked her out of the crowd.
"I have to take a moment to come to the defence of Taylor Swift," he began.
"Everybody's sitting up there and acting like she's some kind of impediment. Excuse me? She did her job. That Eras tour - off the chain, generated billions."
Smith went on to point out that Swift wasn't at the football games to promote her concerts, arguing: "Those kids were going to the concert wether the NFL was promoting her or not."
"Taylor Swift is that girl," he added. "Let's show some respect."
Smith's thoughts on the matter sparked a flood of support and praise, with one TikTok viewer writing: "I don’t even like Taylor swift but dude is just objectively right. Stop hating for no reason."
"I love how he just got more and more passionate!! Yes SIR!!!," another added.
Kelce and Swift started dating last year after Kelce attended one of her concerts.