VIDEO – Stephen A. Smith tells fans ‘we’ve got to stop hating on Taylor Swift’ – ‘Taylor Swift has EARNED it, stop hating*

Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce has catapulted her into the sporting limelight

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has demanded NFL fans stop hating on Taylor Swift.

The 56-year-old First Take star defended the pop sensation following the release of her new album The Tortured Poets Department.

Travis Kelce and Swift have been in a relationship since last summerCredit: Getty


Swift is currently dating NFL tight end Travis Kelce and was a regular feature at football games last season.

Stephen A. has been open in his admiration for the music star after watching her in an “off the chain” performance last fall.

Swift was booed by fans at a game in New York last season and some were annoyed at the amount of time she was shown during TV broadcasts.

“Swifties woke up with a lot to be excited about,” Smith said on his podcast The Stephen A. Smith Show.

I’m sure my daughters have already listened to [the new album] about ten times.

“We gotta stop hating on this girl, she’s earned it. She really has.

“She’s a brilliant artist. She’s very, very talented. It’s just that simple.

“Regardless of what trials and tribulations she’s had to endure, she’s overcome it.

And now, she’s made a dang-near billion dollars for herself and made about six billion dollars on tour from last year.

“I’m telling you, I went to her concert twice. She’s off the chain.”

Travis Kelce shares intimate kiss with Taylor Swift during live stream after being named on girlfriend’s latest album

Kelce’s fame has skyrocketed since getting together with Swift last summer.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end appears to be the subject of the song Alchemy on Taylor’s new record.

Kelce showered Swift with $27,000 worth of gifts in the wake of the album’s release, The US Sun has exclusively revealed.

The presents range from De Beers jewelry to an array of her favorite flowers.

“He loves to give her gifts, and she is a lover of good things, of good clothing and nice jewelry,” a source said.