Global Superstar and unlikely mascot for the NFL, Taylor Swift is the name on everyone’s lips. However, not all football fans are happy with Swift’s recent game appearances. Social media has been flooded with hate-filled posts and comments directed at the singer, some going as far as to threaten her if she attends another game. 

Swift, who began attending games in late September to support Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, has been accused of taking up too much screentime during broadcasts and distracting from the game. However, looking at the statistics from the AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and the Ravens, Swift was only on screen for 44 seconds of the three-hour and nine-minute broadcast, or 0.39 percent of total coverage. In comparison, other B-roll segments included 27 seconds of people preparing crab cakes and 24 seconds of sealife at the local aquarium. 

Many of these social media posts also state that Swift’s mere attendance at these games is “ruining football,” but once again looking at the stats we can see that it’s quite the opposite. Since her first appearance, Sunday Night Football female viewership has increased drastically with a 53 percent boost in those ages 12-17, 24 percent in those 18-24, and 34 percent in those 35 and older. The “Swift bump” also accounted for a 20 percent increase in sponsorships and a 400 percent boost in merchandise sales for Kelce jerseys. 

So what’s the real problem? The world of football has traditionally been a space dominated by men. Now that Taylor Swift and her Swifties are encroaching on this space, many of those men are using it as an excuse to spread their misogynistic rhetoric. That ideology is no longer just hateful, it’s dangerous. Recently, a conspiracy theory regarding Swift and Kelce appeared on the site 4chan, known for being a breeding ground of far-right conspiracy theories. The theory suggests that both Kelce and Swift are desperate for funds and agreed to rig the NFL games in favor of the Chiefs to get paid to make an endorsement for Biden’s reelection campaign at the Super Bowl. Statistics analysts have already disproven any so-called advantages in the Chiefs’ favor at any of the past games, and to think that Swift, who is in the middle of a record-shattering world tour, is in any way desperate for money is absolutely ridiculous. 

The problems don’t end there. This theory quickly spread to other social sites and into the far-right media. MAGA supporters began making threats directly at Swift and calling for boycotts on the Super Bowl should she attend. AI-generated images depicting Swift’s likeness performing sexually explicit acts began circulating the internet with attached captions making threats of physical and sexual violence at the singer. Not only are these actions vile but they are absolutely undefendable regardless of your opinions on Taylor Swift.

It is also important to remember that Swift has no control over how the NFL chooses to conduct its broadcasts. Every themed infographic, lyrical reference and camera shot is entirely decided on by the NFL, not Swift. Taylor has become a marketing tool for the NFL to use at their discretion, while she has essentially no say in the matter. So, if you still want to be mad at someone, why not be mad at them instead?

It isn’t all bad news though. Amongst the many hateful comments online, several fans have shared their stories of how Swift’s appearances have been a bonding opportunity for them and their loved ones. Many fathers shared their stories of learning the lyrics to Swift’s songs and getting to share their love of football with their Swiftie kids. The stories became so popular that they became the premise for Cetaphil’s Super Bowl ad, showing a father bonding with his daughter because of Swift. 

So what has Taylor Swift really done to spark so much hate? Support her boyfriend? Smile and wave at fans? Exist? If Swift merely existing in a male-dominated space inspires that much anger, then she is not the problem. In the words of Ms. Swift herself, “You need to calm down. You’re being too loud.”