Stephen A. Smith thinks Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make a perfect match because they are both so successful in their respective fields.
While appearing on the “Howard Stern Show” Tuesday, the ESPN commentator shot down Howard Stern’s claim that Kelce “has to marry” the 12-time Grammy winner if he wants to stay popular, insisting they’re both a catch in their own right.
“He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, he’s on the verge of potentially being a three-time Super Bowl champion,” the “First Take” co-host said in defense of Kelce. “He’s universally recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of football.”
“He is a good looking dude, got style, got flair. He’s got skills. He’s got a future in [the media] once he retires from football,” he continued, calling Kelce “the total package.”
Although Smith, 56, believes the Kansas City Chiefs star is “a really, really good dude,” he also noted that Swift is just as “phenomenal.”
“Taylor Swift is a good-looking woman, she is an incredible artist — I went to her concert with my daughters,” Smith said.
“Man, Howard, it was off the chain. I loved it. I couldn’t believe how much I loved it because I don’t listen to Taylor Swift music,” he continued. “She was phenomenal.”
Smith was blown away by the dedication shown by Swifties during the concert, noting that they “know every lyric of every song” and stood for the entirety of the almost four-hour show.
“I’m 56 years old… I stood up for the 3 and a half hours,” he said. “I never sat down.”
Despite many NFL fans — and even several sports commentators — bashing Swift’s romance with Kelce, Smith came to the pair’s defense earlier this month after people tried to pin the Chiefs’ uncharacteristic performance on the singer.
“Everybody is 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,” Smith said on the Jan. 10 episode of “First Take.”
“She’s going to support her dude,” the ESPN star continued. “To show up at a football game and the cameras are on her — that ain’t her fault!”
He concluded his rant by urging fans to “show some respect” to the pop star, pointing to the fact that Kelce actually played better with her in attendance at the beginning of the year.
“Taylor Swift is that girl,” he said.
Swift and Kelce started dating over the summer and went public with their romance in September when the “Anti-Hero” singer pulled up to one of the NFL star’s home football games.
Since then, she has been somewhat of a staple in the stands, and — despite a mid-season rough patch — the Missouri-based team is vying for a chance to make it into the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs are set to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a win-or-go-home game on Sunday. Although Swift has been spending some time in Manhattan this week, she will likely be making the trek to Baltimore to cheer on the away team.
