ESPN's sports commentators find themselves in the spotlight after repeatedly referring to Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce's wife during NFL broadcasts, stirring both laughter and backlash.
- Oct 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - The NFL broadcast booth has become an unexpected source of humor and controversy as a series of mistaken comments referring to pop superstar Taylor Swift as "Mrs. Travis Kelce" keep popping up during games.
During a recent "Monday Night Football" game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints, ESPN color commentator Troy Aikman accidentally called Swift "the missus" after a camera captured her cheering for Chiefs tight end and boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Aikman quipped, "The missus likes it," which led his co-host Joe Buck to quickly correct him, "You know they're not married?"
Aikman acknowledged his error with a laugh, saying, "I'm sure I'm in trouble for saying that." He's not alone; this isn't the first time an announcer has made this slip. Tony Romo also made a similar mistake multiple times last season, humorously referring to Swift as Kelce's wife and later correcting himself. He explained that fans frequently asked him about Kelce and Swift's relationship status, showing how much public interest there was in the couple.
Not everyone finds the error amusing, though. Some fans took to social media to express their displeasure. One user tweeted, "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." Others were more lenient, as Buck summed it up, "It happens. My daughters have warned me multiple times today: 'Dad, I know you think you're funny. Don't make any jokes.' "
Swift's status updates on game days continue to captivate audiences, but such misunderstandings might become less frequent due to her upcoming commitments. The 14-time Grammy winner is gearing up for the final leg of her Eras Tour, starting in Miami and concluding in Vancouver this December. This means fewer appearances at Kelce's games, and potentially, fewer slip-ups in the commentary box.
While the mix-ups may be an innocent source of banter among commentators and fans alike, they highlight a broader interest and fascination with Swift and Kelce's relationship status. As the NFL season progresses, it will be interesting to see if the announcers can resist the temptation to make the same mistake again.