NFL great JJ Watt ‘can’t understand’ outrage over Taylor Swift coverage

J. Watt, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, responded to the criticism surrounding the attention on Taylor Swift’s presence in the sports world on Monday.

Watt commended Swift for attending several Kansas City Chiefs games and showing support for tight end Travis Kelce as he strives for another Super Bowl title. In an interview with Us Magazine, the former Houston Texans star expressed his confusion about the negativity, stating, “I think it’s great. I can’t understand why people are so upset about it. They showcase celebrities at games all the time, including male celebrities. I don’t really understand why it’s caused such an uproar.”

Watt emphasized that Swift’s appearances at games and the media coverage have “brought in a massive amount of new fans,” and he believes it should be celebrated. He added, “I think that it’s not her fault they put the camera on her; it is what it is.”

Aware of the attention she attracts, Swift seemingly requested the cameras to “go away, please” during Sunday’s Chiefs vs. Ravens game. Reflecting on the constant spotlight, Swift mentioned in a previous interview when named Time’s “Person of the Year” last 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. 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.”