Former NFL Player Nate Burleson Sends a Pointed Message to ‘Grumpy’ Football Fans ‘Mad’ at Taylor Swift

Former NFL player Nate Burleson had a strong message to share with the “grumpy” people who have expressed frustration and outrage at Taylor Swift’s appearance at Kansas City Chiefs games.

The pop superstar attended several games during the 2023 NFL season to support her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and just last week, she attended the first game of the 2024 season.

Her appearances at games became a point of contention last year among some football fans—a reaction that Swift herself addressed while calling out the “dads, Brads and Chads” during her 2023 Person of the Year interview with Time—and she already seems to be stirring controversy as the new season kicks off.

Burleson, 43, defended the “Fortnight” songstress while discussing her inclusion in new NFL promotional footage on CBS Mornings last week. He later shared a clip of his comments on Instagram.

Related: NFL Sends a Direct Message to Football Fan Complaining About Taylor Swift

“Get out of your feelings,” the morning show host demanded of Swift’s critics. "Oh, you’re upset? You’re a little mad ‘cause Taylor Swift is in the promo? Who cares? Wipe the drool off your tank top and put some pants on, and get out of your mama’s basement.”

Burleson reiterated his stance when approached by TMZ over the weekend. The football analyst said the “fans that are mad” are “typically grumpy guys” and repeated the recommendation he recently issued while co-hosting CBS Mornings.

“It’s just a game,” he said, noting how TV coverage of “every other sport” also includes camera pans of celebrities and influencers in attendance. “But it happens to be Taylor Swift at a NFL game and everybody wants to get in their feelings.”

The frustration aimed at the “Cruel Summer” singer “says more about the sensitivities and insecurities of these men than it does about Taylor,” Burleson added.

Although some sports fans have voiced frustration at camera shots of Swift, 34, during Chiefs games, others have said that her involvement has brought fathers and daughters together, giving them new opportunities to connect while watching NFL games. Swift’s fanbase was also thrilled to see the 14-time Grammy Award winner show up at the NFL season opener on Thursday Sept. 5.

It's unknown exactly how many games Swift plans to attend this season. However, she is currently on a two-month hiatus from her hit international Eras Tour, meaning it’s possible she could fit a few more games into her schedule before her next scheduled concert in mid-October.

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