Bailey Zappe tries to avoid crosshairs with Taylor Swift stance



Not all of the Patriots quarterbacks are full-fledged Swifties.

When appearing on WEEI’s “Jones and Mego” show Monday, second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe elaborated on his Taylor Swift fandom stance ahead of New England’s clash against the superstar’s boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, on Sunday.

Upon being asked, “are you a Taylor Swift fan,” the 24-year-old Zappe replied, “No ma’am,” but insisted it was “not a shot” at the 12-time Grammy winner.

“I’m not like not a fan, I just don’t listen to that music,” Zappe said.

The former fourth-round pick then expressed that he’s a fan of country music and is privy to some of Swift’s early tracks in the genre.

“I’m a country guy, so, I mean that’s probably why since she transferred over to pop. I mean, I knew some of her old songs whenever she was in country but I mean, I don’t dislike her,” Zappe said.

Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe in December 2023. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Swift, 33, began her career as a country music artist before blossoming into one of the biggest pop stars on the planet.

Her blockbuster “Eras Tour,” which chronicles the 10 “eras” of her career, is the first tour to cross the billion-dollar mark, Pollstar reported earlier this month.

Swift will head back on tour next year and will perform shows in Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada and the U.S.

Taylor Swift holds hands with boyfriend Travis Kelce in October 2023. GC Images
Travis Kelce’s mom, Donna, in a suite with Taylor Swift at Arrowhead Stadium in September 2023. Getty Images

In the meantime, she’s taking in NFL games in support of Kelce, 34, whom she’s been dating since the summer.

Swift cheered on the Chiefs last Sunday when they fell to the Bills at Arrowhead Stadium, 20-17.

The couple — who stepped out publicly in October — left the stadium together and were later seen looking cozy at a Kansas City holiday bar.

Taylor Swift cheers on Travis Kelce during the Chiefs-Bills game on Dec. 10, 2023. Getty Images

Swift has attended six games this season and it remains to be seen if she’ll travel to Gillette Stadium this weekend for her seventh.

Much like Swift’s status for the game, it’s unclear who the Patriots will have under center Sunday.

Belichick has not yet named the starter, even as the team comes off a 21-18 win over the Steelers on “Thursday Night Football,” when Zappe went 19-for-28 for 240 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Bailey Zappe in action for the Patriots against the Steelers on Dec. 7, 2023. Getty Images

It’s been a quarterback carousel in New England for much of the season, with starting quarterback Mac Jones — a noted Swiftie — benched over his play on various occasions, paving the way for Zappe to take over.

New England kicks off against Kansas City at 1 p.m. on Sunday.





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