J.J. Watt Defends Taylor Swift Attending NFL Games
ARIZONA -- Former Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt isn't exactly a Swiftie, though he can appreciate good music and performance as somebody used to seeing millions of eyes on him week after week.
If you've tuned into any NFL game this season, you've likely heard Taylor Swift's name referenced. Swift - who is dating Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce - has slowly integrated herself as a football fan and has been spotted in suites at Arrowhead Stadium this year supporting her boyfriend.
Coverage surrounding the global pop star's newfound interest and consumption of NFL games has been fairly hefty, to the point where plenty of football fans have been vocal about Swift's presence during broadcasts.
Watt doesn't understand the hate.
“I think it’s great. I can’t understand why people are so upset about it,” Watt told Us Weekly.
“I mean, they show celebrities at games all the time. Don’t act like we don’t show male celebrities at games all the time. I don’t really understand why it’s caused such an uproar."
He continued with, "I mean, she’s literally there supporting her significant other, and that’s what you should do as a significant other. So I think that it’s great.”
Watt also pointed out the amount of new fans watching NFL games thanks to Swift's presence alone. There's several reports suggesting Swift's presence has brought an estimated brand value of $330 million to the NFL since attending games.
In fairness to Swift, she hasn't gone out of her way to make anything about herself. She's not directing TV cameras towards her in the suite, nor is she writing blogs or hosting radio talk shows about her attending NFL games.
To add, there's numerous stories of Swift generously thanking stadium staff and workers with kind words and gracious tips.
Swift is likely to watch Kelce in the Super Bowl in just two weeks time, though she has a concert in Japan the day prior - so travel will have to be coordinated and executed properly.
Watt may have just a tiny bit of bias after attending Swift's "The Eras Tour" in Glendale with his wife and friends.
He raved about Swift's performance:
