J. Watt, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, addressed the criticism surrounding Taylor Swift’s presence in the sports world on Monday. Watt commended Swift for attending Kansas City Chiefs games and supporting tight end Travis Kelce in his pursuit of another Super Bowl title.
“I think it’s great. I can’t understand why people are so upset about it,” stated the former Houston Texans star in an interview with Us Magazine. “Celebrities are shown at games all the time, including male celebrities. I don’t really understand why it’s causing such an uproar.”
Watt emphasized that Swift’s appearances at games and the media coverage have significantly increased the fan base. “I think it should be nothing but celebrated,” he expressed. “It’s not her fault they put the camera on her; it is what it is.”
Despite Swift being conscious of the spotlight on her, as evidenced by her gesture to the cameras during the Chiefs vs. Ravens game on Sunday, Watt acknowledged the challenges celebrities face with constant visibility. Swift had previously discussed this issue at the end of the previous year when named Time’s “Person of the Year.”
“There’s a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don’t know where it is, and you have no idea when the camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don’t know if I’m being shown 17 times or once,” Swift shared. “I’m just there to support Travis. I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and upsetting a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”