The media jamboree surrounding the couple has not impressed everyone.
In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell felt compelled to dismiss conspiracy theories around Swift as “nonsense” after right-wing critics claimed the relationship was part of a plot to rig the championship and help get US President Joe Biden re-elected.
For some purists, the chatter around Swift’s appearance is only a distraction. In their mind, every TV cutaway, photograph or mention of Swift’s name diverts praise from Mahomes, the NFL’s offensive player of the year Christian McCaffrey and the rest of the stars on the field.
As tennis legend Andy Murray put it in a tweet, external afterwards, “Congrats to @taylorswift13 on winning Super Bowl 58 👏 a stunning performance.”
Ever the performer, Swift played up to the cameras in Vegas. Midway through the first half, she was featured on the big screen inside the stadium and promptly knocked back her drink, albeit to a mixed reaction from a crowd dominated by 49ers’ fans.
Indeed, in a game initially dominated by defences, it seemed the most notable on-pitch event for her boyfriend would be when he barged into his head coach Andy Reid after he was ignored on a play call and the ball was turned over.
