An ESPN commentator drew the ire of Taylor Swift fans by using a ‘demeaning’ term while speaking live on air.
The pop sensation made an appearance at Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on her Kansas City Chiefs beau, Travis Kelce, on Monday night (October 7).
After missing the previous two NFL games, Swift made a notable return for the matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Naturally, her comeback was significant, something sports commentators Troy Aikman and Joe Buck were well aware of.
Regrettably, Aikman made a comment he later acknowledged might land him ‘in trouble.’
During a second-quarter play by Kelce, Aikman made his slip-up.
As cameras captured Swift’s joyful reaction, Aikman used a term that fans criticized as ‘outdated’ and ‘demeaning.’
As the focus was on Swift, Aikman remarked: “The Mrs likes it.”
He was commenting on the singer’s pleased demeanor following Kelce’s impressive play.
However, his co-commentator Buck quickly intervened, recognizing Aikman’s error.
Buck interjected: “You know they’re not married?”
Aikman replied: “Oh I know,” and, realizing the mistake, added: “I’m sure I’m in trouble for saying that.”
Swift’s fans, known for their vigilance, were quick to react on X, formerly known as Twitter.
One fan criticized: “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.”
Another agreed: “The NFL commentator just referred to Taylor as ‘the missus’ EXCUSE ME?! MRS WHO??? THEY ARE NOT MARRIED…”
A third added: “Not sure which ahole #JoeBuck or #TroyAikman called @taylorswift13 ‘the Mrs’ but you just lost ALL credibility w women. Whether you meant it or not, it was a chauvinistic, disgusting statement. I hope you catch fire from fans, Taylor, & @tkelce. @espn, great way to lose fans.”
The Chiefs triumphed in Monday’s game, defeating the Saints 26-13, with Kelce making catches for 70 yards.
Swift began her support for Kelce at NFL games last September, watching the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears from the Kelce family’s private suite. She is frequently seen celebrating there with Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce.
On the red carpet of Kelce’s FX show Grotesquerie, Donna kept mum about her son’s relationship with Swift.
She shared with E! News: “You know, it’s still new, I don’t really have any profound, you know, thoughts or anything like that. We just have the best time cheering Travis on.”