Count Rob Gronkowski among those who feel that NFL telecasts are showing too many Taylor Swift reaction shots during Chiefs games. The former star tight end expressed what is sure to be an unpopular opinion during an appearance on FanDuel’s Up & Adams on Wednesday.
Host Kay Adams took the opposing view, stating that fans are being insecure over a female pop star taking over football coverage. Why is there so much objection to showing a pop culture icon during the time between plays on an NFL broadcast, especially when Swift’s presence is bringing new fans to the sport?
“I would just say, ‘Bye bye bye,’ it’s just a little bit too much,” Gronkowski responded. “Yes, show her, maybe have her perform a song now since they’re hyping her up every single week but we want more football.”
.@RobGronkowski says there is TOO MUCH Taylor Swift on TV during NFL games 👀@heykayadams, however, disagrees pic.twitter.com/zMZMmYBX8g
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 25, 2023
Neither Adams nor producer Matt Hamilton pointed out that Gronkowski possibly got his hit pop songs mixed up. “Bye Bye Bye” is an NSYNC tune! Or maybe he just didn’t want to say “baby” in referencing Swift’s song, “Bye Bye Baby.”
Pop song nitpicking aside, Gronkowski’s seemingly grouchy view is in support of the players who work all week to succeed on the field. That includes end zone celebrations, which many players create and refine on Fridays.
Kirby Lee/USA Today network
Swift’s rumored boyfriend, Travis Kelce, agrees with his fellow tight end that NFL broadcasts are “overdoing” their coverage of the superstar’s reactions to Kelce’s play and the Chiefs’ performance from a luxury suite.
Perhaps networks will practice moderation, as Al Michaels stressed when Kansas City played on Thursday Night Football. But producers certainly won’t ignore Swift. And as more non-football fans show interest, there’s a strong chance she will be seen more during NFL telecasts. Probably not singing, however.
