Photo: Michael Simon
NFL fans are gearing up for the Superbowl, but not everyone is happy with all of the attendees — specifically, Taylor Swift. Despite Chiefs and NFL fans alike citing the star as a “distraction” from the game, it didn’t prevent her boyfriend Travis Kelce (or the Chiefs) from nabbing a spot in the Super Bowl. In fact, some might even argue that her diligent support lit a fire under Kelce and the team.
It’s no secret that professional sports have always been a bit of a boys club. Women sometimes feel ostracized at games and discouraged by loud members of sports fandoms. Yet Taylor Swift has inspired many young girls and women to take an interest in the rough-and-tumble game. Some football dads have even praised the singer for getting their daughters interested in football and allowing father-daughter duos to bond during games.
In reality, Swift’s attendance at NFL games isn’t hurting anyone and she can’t exactly control the number of times the camera pans on her or the amount of headlines that follow her attendance at games. Plenty of NFL players are calling out the double standard of the criticism women face just for existing and think it’s great that new fans are developing a love for football — regardless of what sparked them to discover that passion.
Photo: Michael Simon
I had the pleasure of speaking with former New York Giant and current Bachelor franchise host Jesse Palmer for an exclusive interview at a happy hour event celebrating his partnership with Avocados From Mexico, where he encouraged NFL fans to host a Better Bowl with plenty of guac.
I asked Palmer what he thinks about Swift’s support of Kelce and how it’s brought a lot of young girls and women into the game. He said, “I think it’s been amazing for a couple of reasons. One, I think it’s authentic. I think their relationship is real, which I think is awesome.” And if anyone knows authentic love, it’s the Bachelor host.
He added, “And two, to me, it’s been a win-win for everybody. It’s been a win for the NFL. It’s been a win for Taylor. It’s been a win for Travis Kelce. It’s been a win for the Chiefs.” Palmer pointed out that it’s quite literally a win for the Chiefs, who are Super Bowl-bound.
He poked fun at the people calling her a “distraction,” adding air quotes to the word when he noted, “They’re actually playing in this Super Bowl amidst this ‘distraction.’ They’ve been able to get through it. I think everybody’s coming out on the other side better for it.”
Palmer’s final thoughts on the matter were, “I think it’s been phenomenal.” So, if you’re planning to rant about Swift during the Super Bowl, just know that Jesse Palmer won’t be asking you to accept a rose anytime soon.
Xandra Harbet 
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