NFL legend Emmitt Smith defends Taylor Swift as her presence at games draws ire of football fans

Taylor Swift has certainly become an "Anti-Hero" for football fans, and the all-time leading rusher doesnt understand why.

Since Swift began dating Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, she has attended his games and, in turn, been shown on broadcasts, which has drawn the ire of fans. Emmitt Smith doesnt think her presence at stadiums or on broadcasts is controversial at all.

"Why would it be a controversial matter? Shes there to support her husband and she doesnt care about all this other stuff, but the networks do. The networks are exposing everything because of who she is. Shes not looking for the damn camera!" Smith told Variety in a recent interview.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer said that Swift isnt clamoring for attention; shes just trying to be a supportive wife.

"Shes trying to be Taylor Swift, wife to Travis Kelce, and is trying to enjoy life. Shes not going, 'Put me on the camera! Im here!' Most stars arent even like that. The media needs something to talk about, this is fresh and new, and shes a big star," Smith said.

The Dallas Cowboys legend said that while he may not like the way Swifts appearances are perceived as controversial, there is nothing either of them can do to prevent that unless she stops attending games.

"Shes just trying to be herself. Thats what losing your anonymity truly means — people follow you," Smith said.

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With her immense popularity, Swift has drawn more viewers to the sport, and the NFL is trying to replicate that success with other star players wives and girlfriends.

During training camp, the NFL coordinated a social media effort to feature star quarterbacks such as Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Jaxson Dart with their girlfriends or, in Herberts case, his fiancée. Smith is not a fan of the effort.

"It shouldnt be a policy. Its a poor policy. The reason why its a poor policy is: Girlfriends do change. Wives sometimes change, but they dont change as often as girlfriends do. And if youre going to do it for three [people], you have to do it for everyone — not just a select few — and thats where the hypocrisy of that scenario comes into play for me," Smith said.

The Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills played a thrilling game on "Monday Night Football," and the ESPN broadcast showed Josh Allens wife, Hailee Steinfeld, and Matthew Staffords wife, Kelly Stafford, after some of the games biggest plays late in the game .

Swift and other players wives and girlfriends have helped the sport grow in popularity, and broadcasts are unlikely to stop showing them, regardless of whether some fans think its controversial.