The NFL’s latest promo for the 2024 season has ignited a firestorm among football fans, who are not thrilled to see pop sensation Taylor Swift taking center stage.
Instead of talking touchdowns and star quarterbacks, NFL devotees are fuming over the unexpected presence of pop megastar Taylor Swift in the league’s new season promo.
The video, meant to hype up the upcoming games, surprisingly features Swift more than any of the sport’s biggest names, leaving fans both bewildered and annoyed.
Swift Takes Center Stage in NFL Promo
The NFL’s latest promotional clip, released ahead of the season opener, showcases Swift a staggering five times within its short duration.
The promo prominently features Swift in a variety of scenes tied to her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Although it was designed to relive some of the game’s memorable moments from the 2023 season.
Fans first see Swift celebrating in the stands next to Kelce’s mom, Donna, during two separate clips in September, both at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
Fast forward to January, and there she is again, arriving at a game sporting a custom ‘Kelce 87’ Chiefs jacket.
And later, sharing a sweet kiss with Kelce on the field after the Chiefs’ AFC Championship victory.
To top it off, there’s a clip of her chugging a beer on the jumbotron during last season’s Super Bowl in February.
It’s enough to make any football fan wonder: is this an NFL promo, or a Swiftie highlight reel?
Where Are the Quarterbacks?
While Taylor Swift gets more screen time than anyone else, some of the NFL’s biggest stars are nowhere to be seen.
Quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, who led the Cincinnati Bengals through an intense playoff run last year, and Brock Purdy, who quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, are completely absent from the video.
Even more surprising, other high-profile players like CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans, Matthew Stafford of the LA Rams, and Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers also don’t make the cut.
And what about Patrick Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP and widely considered the face of the NFL?
He finally appears… but only at the very end of the video, raising the Vince Lombardi Trophy in a quick flash.
For many fans, it’s baffling to see so many key players overlooked in favor of multiple Taylor Swift appearances.
Fans Take to Social Media: “Why Is This All About Taylor Swift?”
The reaction from NFL fans has been swift—and not in a good way. Social media platforms lit up with outrage as soon as the promo dropped.
One fan wrote, “Taylor Swift was shown 5 times in this 28-second clip of football being back.” Another, clearly fed up, posted, “STOP SHOWING TAYLOR SWIFT WE DON’T CARE.“
Some fans seemed genuinely baffled by the choice, asking, “Why are we showing Taylor Swift 5 times? I thought this was football?”
Meanwhile, another joked, “At this point, it feels like a Taylor Swift hype video.” The general sentiment among fans is clear—they’re here for football, not a concert.
Why So Much Swift?
Why would the NFL lean so heavily on Swift in their season kickoff promo?
It could be a nod to her massive global fanbase, which the league might hope to tap into for increased viewership and engagement.
After all, the “Swift effect” is real—her every move seems to dominate headlines, and her fans are known for their fierce loyalty.
Swift’s appearance at Kelce’s games last season generated massive media coverage, and her presence undeniably brings a different kind of spotlight to the NFL.
But for traditional football fans, it feels like an overreach, and they’re not shy about voicing their discontent.
Will Swift Be at the Season Opener?
So, will Taylor Swift make an appearance at the Chiefs’ season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night? It’s anyone’s guess.
Her international “Eras Tour” doesn’t resume until mid-October, meaning her calendar is wide open if she wants to cheer on Kelce from the stands.
If Swift does decide to attend, you can bet the cameras will find her—and fans will have even more to say.
Love it or hate it, Swift’s relationship with the NFL is already proving to be one of the most talked-about storylines heading into the new season.
A Love Story or a PR Strategy?
Whether this is a shrewd PR move by the NFL to draw in more viewers or simply a miscalculation of what football fans want to see, one thing is evident: Taylor Swift’s involvement in the NFL isn’t going unnoticed.
As the new season kicks off, it will be interesting to see how much more of the pop icon we’ll see—and if the league will adjust its approach to keep its core audience happy.
For now, it looks like Swift will continue to have a front-row seat in the NFL spotlight, much to the chagrin of some fans who are just eager to get back to the game they love.
NFL Week 1 Schedule (All Times in PKT)
| Date | Time (PKT) | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 6 | 5:20 AM | Ravens (0-0) vs. Chiefs (0-0) |
| Saturday, September 7 | 5:15 AM | Packers (0-0) vs. Eagles (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Steelers (0-0) vs. Falcons (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Cardinals (0-0) vs. Bills (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Titans (0-0) vs. Bears (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Patriots (0-0) vs. Bengals (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Texans (0-0) vs. Colts (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Jaguars (0-0) vs. Dolphins (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Panthers (0-0) vs. Saints (0-0) |
| Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 PM | Vikings (0-0) vs. Giants (0-0) |
Conclusion
- As the NFL gears up for another thrilling season, the league finds itself in an unexpected controversy—one not sparked by player trades or coaching changes but by the presence of pop sensation Taylor Swift in its promotional material.
- The decision to feature Swift so prominently, while leaving out major stars like Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, and even minimizing the appearance of Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, has left many football fans feeling frustrated and overlooked.
- For the NFL, this may be a strategic play to expand its audience, tapping into Swift’s massive fanbase and drawing more eyes to the sport.
- However, it’s a fine line to walk between courting new viewers and alienating loyal fans who feel the focus should remain on the game and its athletes.
- As the season kicks off, it will be fascinating to see if the NFL sticks with this celebrity-heavy approach or pivots back to showcasing the players who make the game what it is.
- One thing is certain: NFL fans are passionate, vocal, and fiercely dedicated to their sport, and they won’t hesitate to speak up if they feel sidelined.
- Whether Swift will continue to be a frequent face in the NFL’s promotional playbook—or if this was just a one-time experiment—remains to be seen.
- For now, all eyes are on both the field and the stands, waiting to see what unfolds next.