Taylor Swift fans fume as ESPN presenter calls her 'demeaning' name live on air
Topics: Taylor Swift, NFL, Sport, Travis Kelce, Twitter
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Topics: Taylor Swift, NFL, Sport, Travis Kelce, Twitter
An EPSN commentator left Taylor Swift fans furious after calling the megastar a 'demeaning' name live on air.
The singer showed up at Arrowhead Stadium to support Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce on Monday night (October 7).
Swift had been absent for the past two NFL games, but made a special appearance for the match against New Orleans Saints.
Naturally, her return was a big deal - something that sport commentators Tory Aikman and Joe Buck would know all too well.
Advert
Unfortunately, Aikman made a slip-up he later admitted would get him 'in trouble.'
It was when the presenter applauded a second-quarter play by Kelce that he made the mistake.
As camera focused their attention on a beaming Swift, Aikman let out a term fans slammed as 'outdated' and 'demeaning'.
As all eyes were on Swift, Aikman commented: “The Mrs likes it.”
The presenter was referring to the singer's delighted expression following Kelce's great play.
But his co-commentator Buck soon stepped in, realising Aikman's mistake.
He quickly chipped in with: “You know they’re not married?”
Aikman responded: “Oh I know,” and, acknowledging the error of his ways, added: “I’m sure I’m in trouble for saying that.”
Swift fans are renowned for never missing a thing - and so it didn't take long for them to respond on X, formerly Twitter.
One slammed: "Dear Troy Aikman, DO NOT call Taylor Swift 'the Mrs'. It’s demeaning. Even if she WAS his wife. She’s Taylor Alison Swift - global superstar."
A second agreed: "The NFL commentator just referred to Taylor as 'the missus' EXCUSE ME?! MRS WHO??? THEY ARE NOT MARRIED..."
A third weighed in with: "Not sure which ahole #JoeBuck or #TroyAikman called @taylorswift13 ‘the Mrs’ but you just lost ALL credibility w women. Whether you meant it or not, it was a chauvinistic, disgusting statement. I hope you catch fire from fans, Taylor, & @tkelce. @espn, great way to lose fans."
The Chiefs emerged victorious after Monday's game, beating the Saints 26-13. Kelce contributed catches for 70 yards.
Swift first began showing her support for Kelce at NFL games last September, watching the Chiefs defeat the Chicago Bears from the Kelce family’s private suite. She's often pictured celebrating there with Travis' mom Donna Kelce.
On the red carpet of Kelce's FX show Grotesquerie, Donna appeared to remain tight-lipped about her son's relationship with Swift.
She told E! News: "You know, it’s still new, I don’t really have any profound, you know, thoughts or anything like that. We just have the best time cheering Travis on.”