Stephen A. Smith defends Taylor Swift against critics who blasted the pop star as an ‘impediment’ to Travis Kelce and the Chiefs as he claims she ‘did her job’ with ‘off the chain’ Eras Tour

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith jumped to Taylor Swift’s defense after the pop star was accused of negatively impacting the play of Kansas City Chiefs friend Travis Kelce.

The Anti-Hero hitmaker, 34, has attended several tight end games this season with much fanfare and attention, with the broadcast often focused on her in the stands.

But with the Chiefs’ collapse in recent weeks, NFL fans are unhappy with the attention the singer has been receiving from the league and the media.

Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless even chimed in and claimed it was time to call Swift a distraction for Kelce and the Rulers Super Bowl champions after their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day.

Swift was also unimpressed when Golden Globes host Jo Koy made an unsavory joke about her and Kelce on Sunday night.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith (left) jumped to Taylor Swift’s (right) defense amid criticism.

The pop star was accused of having a negative impact on the play of Chiefs friend Travis Kelce

However, Bayless’s ESPN rival Smith hit back at Swift’s critics, insisting it wasn’t her fault the cameras were on her.

“I have to take a moment to defend Taylor Swift,” Smith continued Wednesday episode of First Take.

“Everyone sits there and acts like she’s some kind of hindrance and, excuse me, she’s done her job! That Eras tour? Out of the chain. Billions generated.

‘(…) She’s going to support her guy. To show up at a football match and the cameras are on her – that’s not her fault!

‘And excuse me, she went to the games after the concerts. It’s not like she used the games to boost the concerts. Oh no! Those kids went to her concerts whether the NFL promoted her or not!

“Taylor Swift is that girl. Let’s show some respect. She’ll probably be positive about Travis Kelce’s performance, okay? I’m not trying to disrespect Taylor Swift.”

Bayless wasn’t the only one pointing the finger at Swift, as OutKick founder Clay Travis also chimed in.

Travis took to Twitter on Christmas Day after the Chiefs loss and wrote, “The Chiefs are not a good football team and Travis Kelce looks like he should retire.

Skip Bayless (left) and Clay Travis (right) are Swift and Kelce’s main critics

Bayless wondered on social media whether the pop star had a distaste for the games

‘He’s been useless for the last seven or eight weeks. The double-crappy Pfizer shots may have caught up with him. That or Taylor Swift is the Chiefs Yoko Ono. Maybe both.’

But both claims were met with derision from NFL fans and Swift’s own supporters, as the Chiefs clearly have issues on the field, rather than in the stands, that clearly need to be addressed.

Despite the noise, the Chiefs captured the AFC West division title and sealed their spot in the postseason.

Kelce and co. Take on the Miami Dolphins on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in the Wild Card round.