Stephen A. Smith isn’t here for the criticism Taylor Swift has received for attending Travis Kelce’s football games.
The radio personality went on a passionate rant on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ to throw his support behind the singer.
Some fans and critics have questioned her motives, suggesting her presence at the games is merely a publicity stunt. Others have scrutinized her for causing mayhem when she’s in attendance.
But Smith didn’t hold back as he took a stand for T-Swift. He was adamant in his assertion that she’s not just there to be an ornament or a distraction but is there as a genuine fan, cheering on her “dude” and the team.
“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,” he said.
Smith went on to state that while there “is only one Beyonce,” he credited Swift for putting on an exhilarating concert at her recent show.
“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.”
So, to reduce her as somebody who was showing up to football games for her own benefit seemed ridiculous to him.
“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.”
“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.”
It’s also no secret that before Swift started dating Kelce, she wasn’t exactly flying around the world just to catch a Chiefs game.
Back in November, however, Swift had flown out to support Beyonce at the London premiere of her ‘Renaissance’ concert film. As soon as the event was over, she reportedly flew back to Kansas City to catch her man live in action on the field.
Needless to say, if the Chiefs are playing, Swift is more than likely going to be in attendance.