Emmitt Smith Defends Taylor Swift Amid NFL Backlash, Criticizes 'Poor Policy' on WAGs

NFL legend Emmitt Smith has defended Taylor Swift against backlash from some football fans who have expressed irritation with media coverage of her appearances at Kansas City Chiefs games. Smith stated that Swift is simply supporting her partner, Travis Kelce, and that the networks are drawing attention to her due to her celebrity status.

"She's there to support her husband and she doesn't care about all this other stuff, but the networks do," Smith told Variety. "The networks are exposing everything because of who she is." He added that Swift is not seeking the spotlight but is trying to "be Taylor Swift, wife to Travis Kelce, and is trying to enjoy life."

Swift, 36, has become a frequent attendee at Arrowhead Stadium since her relationship with Kelce became public. Her presence has generated significant media attention, leading some fans to criticize the amount of airtime dedicated to her during broadcasts.

Smith suggested that the media is capitalizing on the novelty of Swift's involvement in the NFL. "The media needs something to talk about, this is fresh and new, and she's a big star," he said. "Do I like it? No. Can I do anything about it? No. Can she do anything about it? No. The only thing she can do is not show up at the games, and who wants to do that?"

He also addressed a past instance where Swift was seen pointing to her wedding ring while celebrating a Kelce touchdown. Smith believes that such moments, while passionate, have also drawn mixed reactions from fans.

Beyond Swift's situation, Smith criticized what he described as a "poor policy" of NFL teams highlighting the girlfriends and wives of star players, often referred to as WAGs. He noted instances during training camps where quarterbacks were shown with their partners.

"It shouldn't be a policy. It's a poor policy," Smith stated. "The reason why it's a poor policy is: Girlfriends do change. Wives sometimes change, but they don't change as often as girlfriends do. And if you're going to do it for three [people], you have to do it for everyone — not just a select few — and that's where the hypocrisy of that scenario comes into play for me."

Smith argued that such displays have no place during practice, emphasizing that it is a time for players to focus on their jobs. "Ain't no way in the world Jimmy Johnson would allow it! And at the end of the day, I don't think players want it either, because this is their job! This isn't the place to be flirty-flirty! You're there to work. Get your social media content afterward."