The Philadelphia Eagles' fanbase is renowned for their fervent passion, embodying an unwavering devotion to their team and a correspondingly intense dislike for their opponents and their supporters. During Super Bowl LIX, when the big screen at Caesars Superdome flashed the image of superstar singer Taylor Swift, who is in a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce, the stadium reverberated with thunderous boos.
Just recently, Swift had set an attendance record at the Superdome during her Eras Tour, with her fans belting out the lyrics to her songs both inside the arena and in the parking lot. However, this time, the reception was far from warm. The Eagles' fans harbored a notable animosity towards the 14-time Grammy Award winner, who, despite having grown up rooting for the Birds, now found herself an integral part of Chiefs Kingdom.
Unsurprisingly, Kelce was reportedly not pleased with the fans' reaction towards Swift. The singer, however, seemed to brush off the hate, glancing sideways and seemingly mouthing, "What's going on?" amidst the erupting crowd. It wasn't just the Chiefs' players who took issue with the negative reception; an Eagles player also expressed his dissatisfaction. Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley stated his bewilderment regarding the incident.
"I recall seeing her on the Jumbotron and hearing the boos," Barkley said in an interview with Howard Stern, following the Eagles' convincing 40-22 victory over the Chiefs. "I just don't get it. I don't understand why she was receiving so much hate there."
Swift had brought in countless new fans to the NFL, and Barkley wanted people to focus on her positive impact on growing the game rather than her team affiliation or personal relationships. "She's there supporting her partner and has contributed to making the game even bigger," Barkley emphasized. "In football, we're all about expanding the game globally. We're traveling to places like Brazil, Mexico, and soon, Australia. Her involvement only aids in that endeavor, so I don't comprehend the criticism she's receiving."
This is Barkley's maiden season experiencing the affection of Philly fans, having spent his entire career prior to this season with the Eagles' divisional rival, the New York Giants. "They shower you with love," Barkley remarked about the Eagles' fans. "It's been an amazing experience for me and my family, especially considering how things ended in New York. There was always love and support, but things didn't conclude on a high note. To come here and witness how they've embraced me and my family, with my daughter becoming somewhat of a local celebrity—they adore her—has been truly heartwarming."
Barkley played a pivotal role in the offense's success throughout the season, breaking the record for the most yards from scrimmage in a single season (including the postseason) and has since become a beloved figure in the City of Brotherly Love.
