NFL Broadcasts Under Fire: Rob Gronkowski's Grievance with Excessive Taylor Swift Presence

Rob Gronkowski and Taylor Swift. Getty Images (2)

Rob Gronkowski, a former professional football player, approves of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship but believes it should not be a topic of discussion during NFL broadcasts. During an interview on FanDuel TV's Up & Adams show on Wednesday, October 25, the four-time Super Bowl champion expressed that while it's acceptable to occasionally feature Swift and even have her perform a song due to the current hype surrounding her, the focus should primarily be on football rather than constantly highlighting her presence.

Gronkowski had a successful career as a tight end in the NFL, spanning 11 seasons. He was particularly favored by Tom Brady, with whom he won three championships while playing for the New England Patriots. In 2021, Gronkowski clinched another Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, triumphing over the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Kelce, with a resounding score of 31-9. "Display the players and their celebratory moments," Gronkowski emphasized.

Gronkowski, the host of the college football LA Bowl on December 16 at SoFi Stadium, expressed his joy upon learning about Kelce, 34, who is also a tight end, dating Swift, 33.

"He truly deserves it all," Gronkowski shared with Entertainment Tonight on October 23. "It's fantastic to witness him excel both on and off the field."

He has been friends with Kelce for a couple of years and they really connected in 2022, the same year he officially retired from the football league. The retired player praised Kelce, stating that he has achieved seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a rare feat for wide receivers. He believes Kelce deserves the success and attention he receives, including endorsements and admiration from women.

Kelce recently discussed the focus on Taylor Swift at his games on his podcast "New Heights" with his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.

"They are definitely going a bit too far, especially when it comes to my situation," the Chiefs star informed Jason.

Swift has already been present for four Chiefs games this season, and the NFL has stood by its coverage of the renowned "Willow" singer.

"We regularly update our bios and profile pictures in response to current events both within and outside of our games. This also includes reflecting the cultural landscape," the league stated to The New York Post.

"In light of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news, we have actively embraced this pop cultural moment in real-time. It represents the convergence of sports and entertainment, and we have witnessed an overwhelming amount of positivity surrounding the sport," the statement added.

Swift attended her first Chiefs game on September 24, where she had the privilege of sitting in Kelce’s VIP box at Arrowhead Stadium. The game was against the Chicago Bears. Moreover, she was also present at the team's road game on October 1 against the New York Jets, their home game on October 12 against the Denver Broncos, and the October 22 home match against the Los Angeles Chargers. Throughout these games, Swift developed a close bond with Kelce's parents, Ed Kelce and Donna Kelce. It is worth mentioning that the Chiefs emerged victorious in each of these matches.