Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift at Chiefs game | SCREENSHOT: Page Six/YouTubeCredit: Page Six on YouTube

Super Bowl-winning coach and current analyst Tony Dungy was recently critical of Taylor Swift constantly being involved with the Chiefs and the NFL

Tony Dungy has always seemed like a pretty patient, level-headed guy. Even when he was the sideline leader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts, he was never known as a man who let anyone see him sweat. However, the old ball coach has had it up to here with all the hype over Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.

Travis Kelce | SCREENSHOT: City.of_AFC/YouTubeCredit: C/O

Taylor Swift Becomes A Chiefs Fan

Kelce and Swift began a public relationship nearly three months ago, and she VERY NOTICEABLY began appearing at his games on an almost weekly basis. The media attention and fandom that followed saw the football player go from an American athletic star to a globally known name.

All this came about just as Taylor Swift – perhaps the most famous female in the world right now – was wrapping up her Eras Tour. Due to her massive popularity, it became the highest-grossing concert series of all time.

In the meantime, many around the game have embraced the relationship as a positive for the NFL. And for the most part, the Chiefs and those around the game have had fun with all the hype and hoopla.

RELATED: The “Distraction” Debate: Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs Must Be Wondering If They Should Never Ever Get Back Together

Dungy Disagrees

However, Tony Dungy has had enough of it all. He feels Taylor Swift’s looming presence draws too much attention to her and not to the game.

Speaking with Fox News recently, Dungy insisted that the singer is not helping football. He added that the “Taylor Swift effect” takes away focus from what is going on down on the field

“That’s the thing that’s disenchanting people with sports now,” Dungy said. “There’s so much on the outside coming in. Entertainment value and different things taking away from what really happens on the field.”

Tony Dungy | SCREENSHOT: All Pro Dad/YouTubeCredit: C/O

Feeling The Sting From The Swifties

Despite not attacking Taylor Swift personally, Dungy’s comments drew backlash on social media from her immense and vocal fan base. Most of them are probably not aware that he’s a devout man of faith who (along with his wife, Lauren) has fostered over 100 children.

For their part, Kelce, Swift, and the Chiefs aren’t going anywhere for at least another week.

The tight end grabbed seven catches for 71 yards in his team’s opening-round playoff win over Miami on Saturday. The Chiefs sent the Dolphins packing, 26-7.

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Ryan Boman is the author of the 2023 book, 'Pop Music & Peanut Butter', and a sportswriter whose previous ... More about Ryan Boman
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