Whoopi Goldberg is stepping up to defend Taylor Swift against criticism from Kansas City Chiefs fans regarding the pop star’s influence on tight end Travis Kelce’s recent performance. On the September 24 episode of “The View,” Goldberg addressed the backlash aimed at Swift, who has been romantically linked to Kelce.
During the show, Goldberg questioned the logic behind the accusations, asking her co-hosts, “Apparently, [the fans] forgot that [the Chiefs] won the Super Bowl last year, and [Swift and Kelce] were just as tight then as they are now. What is going on?” Her remarks highlighted the fact that the Chiefs have had a successful season thus far.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in, noting that the Chiefs have won all three of their games this season. Sunny Hostin further pointed out that Swift was not even present at the most recent game, quipping, “Is she supposed to play the game, too?” This lighthearted jab underscored the absurdity of placing blame on Swift for Kelce’s performance.
Griffin expressed her frustration with the narrative that Swift was responsible for Kelce’s game, asserting that football is a team sport. “Just because he’s not making touchdowns doesn’t mean he’s not contributing to the success of the team,” she said. Griffin criticized the tendency to unfairly blame women for men’s shortcomings, stating, “Once again, just the classic blaming a woman for a man.”
She added a humorous analogy, saying people were treating Swift as if she were “a Magic 8 ball or a monkey foot” that could somehow dictate Kelce’s on-field performance. “She’s very powerful, but she can’t magically affect his game,” Griffin added. However, she expressed her support for the couple, noting, “The thing I do love about this relationship and why I root for it is they support each other.”
Goldberg took the conversation a step further, suggesting that the vocal critics of Swift were primarily from the “MAGA crowd,” referencing the backlash she received for her political endorsements. “Grow up, y’all,” Goldberg told the audience. “Stop putting this on her. Your team is fine, your team is doing well. Shut up!”
This discussion comes in the wake of increased scrutiny on Kelce’s performance during Week 3 of the NFL season. Some fans and analysts have noted that he did not receive as many touches as expected, leading to speculation about his effectiveness on the field. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes even weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the respect that opposing teams have for Kelce.
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“It’s crazy because the respect factor teams have for Travis is unreal, and it’s well-deserved,” Mahomes stated in a recent media appearance. He explained that many defenders are focused on Kelce, making it challenging for him to get open. “We’re calling a lot of plays for Travis, and it’s like two or three [defenders] are going to him,” Mahomes added.
The quarterback expressed his commitment to getting the ball to Kelce whenever possible, noting that the development of other players, like Rashee Rice, could help free up Kelce for more opportunities. “I think the more Rashee makes plays, the more we’re able to run the football, the more we can get [Xavier] Worthy involved, I think that’s going to open Travis up more,” he explained. “People are really emphasizing taking him away, and that’s getting other guys open.”
As the conversation around Swift and Kelce continues, Goldberg and her co-hosts on “The View” have made it clear that they believe the pop star should not be blamed for any perceived shortcomings in the athlete’s performance. Their spirited defense highlights a broader issue of how women are often unfairly scapegoated in public discourse.
As the NFL season progresses, it remains to be seen how the media and fans will continue to navigate the intersection of celebrity culture and sports. For now, it seems clear that Goldberg stands firmly in support of Swift, urging fans to focus on the game rather than casting blame on the pop star.
