Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley has stepped up in defense of Taylor Swift after she was met with loud boos from fans during Super Bowl LIX. The pop icon, who attended the game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, appeared visibly puzzled when her image was displayed on the jumbotron at Caesars Superdome, triggering a wave of jeers from the crowd.
Barkley Questions the Boos
“I don’t get it, I don’t get why she was getting hate there," Barkley said during an interview with Howard Stern, as reported by NBC.
Swift was spotted in a luxury suite alongside Ice Spice, Ashley Avignone, Donna and Ed Kelce, her brother Austin, and singer Este Haim. Since the start of her relationship with Kelce, Swift has been a frequent presence at Chiefs games, drawing new fans and increased media attention to the NFL.
The Context Behind the Crowd Reaction
While the booing may not have been personally targeted at Swift, it was part of a broader wave of animosity from Eagles fans toward the Chiefs throughout the game. Philadelphia fans dominated the stands, giving their team a strong home-field advantage in New Orleans. Meanwhile, Swift has also faced criticism from political figures, but Barkley believes the negativity is unwarranted.
Swift’s Positive Impact on the NFL
Barkley praised Swift’s presence at NFL games, emphasizing her role in broadening the sport’s appeal to a wider audience.
"She's there supporting her significant other and she's made the game bigger," Barkley said. "We're all about, in football, how can we expand the game internationally? We’re traveling to Brazil, Mexico, and apparently, Australia soon. Her involvement is only helping that, so I don't get the slack that she's getting."
Barkley’s Performance and Eagles’ Victory
On the field, Barkley delivered a strong performance in the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 victory over the Chiefs. He rushed for 57 yards on 25 carries and added 40 receiving yards on six catches. The win crushed Kansas City’s hopes for a historic three-peat and secured Philadelphia’s second-ever Super Bowl championship.
Barkley’s contributions helped cap off a historic season in which he shattered records for rushing yards in both the regular season and the playoffs. While the Chiefs and their fans may still be processing the defeat, Barkley and the Eagles are celebrating their championship success—one that will be remembered for years to come.