AceShowbiz - Stephen A. Smith has jumped to Taylor Swift's defense following criticisms of her NFL appearances. The "General Hospital" star showed his support for the "All Too Well" hitmaker after she faced backlash for attending her boyfriend Travis Kelce's football games.

The 55-year-old ESPN commentator defended the 34-year-old singer, who has been attending NFL games since dating Travis, during an interview on "First Take". In a short clip of the show's Wednesday, January 10 episode, he said, "I have to take a moment to come to the defense of Taylor Swift." On the reason why, he stated, "Everybody is sitting up there and acting like she's some kind of impediment."

Stephen went on to declare, "Excuse me, she did her job! That 'Eras Tour'? Off the chain, generated billions." He then exclaimed, "Taylor Swift was phenomenal," before recalling, "I went to the concert, I've seen these kids and they absolutely love her. The concert was absolutely positively phenomenal and off the chain."

"She did her job and she's going to support her dude," he continued, while making a reference to NFL star Travis. "To show up at a football game and the cameras are on her - that ain't her fault! And excuse me, by the way, she went to the games after the concerts. It's not like she used the games to bump up the concerts. Oh no!"

Stephen further pointed out, "Those kids were going to her concerts whether the NFL was promoting her or not! Taylor Swift is that girl." He additionally said, "Let's show some respect. She probably is gonna have a positive on Travis Kelce's performance, okay?"

This was not the first time Stephen showered Taylor with praise. In August 2023, he gushed over the singer after attending one of her "Eras Tour" shows. "That's the best concert I've ever been to in my life. Excuse my language but that s**t was off the chain," he exclaimed on his radio show "The Stephen A. Smith Show".

"Taylor Swift brought the damn house down. I was jamming to Taylor Swift. She was sensational," he added. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd pay to see her again. Taylor Swift is a performer. She was a superstar that night. And I just have to take a moment to give her some love. That girl is special."