Emmitt Smith said Taylor Swift is not responsible for the attention she receives during Kansas City Chiefs games, arguing that television networks choose to show her because of her fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame running back made the remarks in a recent interview with Variety, according to Fox News.
Swift has attended Chiefs games since beginning a relationship with tight end Travis Kelce. Her appearances in stadiums and on game broadcasts have prompted complaints from some football fans, the source reported. Smith said he did not see why her presence should be treated as controversial, describing her as attending to support Kelce rather than seeking camera time.
Smith said that being widely recognized means people follow a public figure’s movements. He added that Swift’s celebrity makes her a subject of media interest, but said he did not believe she was asking broadcasters to feature her. The source does not identify specific fans or provide details about the scale of the criticism.
The former Dallas Cowboys star also objected to an NFL social media initiative involving players’ partners. Fox News reported that during training camp the league coordinated content featuring quarterbacks Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Jaxson Dart with their girlfriends or fiancées. Smith characterized the approach as a poor policy, questioning why content would focus on only a small selection of players and noting that relationships can change.
His criticism was about the league’s selection process, rather than a call to stop showing all players’ partners. Smith argued that if the NFL highlights some players’ relationships, it should apply the approach consistently rather than choosing a few. The interview, as presented by Fox News, did not include a response from the league.
The source also cited a Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. ESPN showed Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Allen’s wife, and Kelly Stafford, Matthew Stafford’s wife, after notable late-game plays. That example illustrates that broadcasts have featured partners beyond Swift, although the source does not provide audience data to measure the impact of those appearances.
Fox News reported that Swift and other players’ partners have contributed to the sport’s popularity and suggested broadcasts are likely to continue showing them despite objections from some viewers. Smith’s comments offer his view of the coverage and the league’s promotional strategy; the source provides no direct response from Swift, Kelce, or the NFL.
