Stephen A. Smith’s made a cringe remark about Taylor Swift ‘motivating’ Travis Kelce on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ on Tuesday, forcing the show’s co-host, Molly Qerim, to tell him that his tone is ‘unnecessary.’ 

Panel members, which also included Dan Orlovsky and Shannon Sharpe, were going back and forth on whether Swift deserves a mention for her beau’s rejuvenation on the gridiron lately, particularly when she watches him play in-person. 

After Qerim suggested that ‘Taylor is motivating him’, Smith couldn’t agree more.

‘I am quite sure she is. Let’s get that out of the way,’ he said provocatively.

‘The voice is unnecessary,’ Qerim replied. 

Stephen. A Smith said he’s ‘quite sure’ about Taylor Swift motivating Travis Kelce to play well in a suggestive tone on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ on Tuesday morning

Kelce and Swift have been a lot of time together since Travis started courting her in September

‘Do I need a towel again,’ then asked Orlovsky.

‘We don’t need a towel. I am just saying she’s motivational, there’s no doubt,’ Smith said. ‘She has found a way to get to the games.’ 

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Kelce’s resurgence this season has many fans wondering if it’s correlated with his relatively new relationship with Swift after CBS showed a graphic on Sunday during the Chiefs-Chargers game, which compared the tight end’s stats with and without the popstar in attendance. 

A CBS Sports graphic shown during Chiefs-Chargers shows that Kelce’s numbers have gone up exponentially when Swift watches him play in-person

Swift (seen next to Brittany Mahomes) was at the Chiefs’ most recent win against the Chargers

With Swift rooting for him during Kansas’ 31-17 win this past weekend, Kelce had 12 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown against L.A. 

Orlovsky pointed to the 33-year-old’s talent, dismissing Swift’s impact, while Sharpe, who played the same position as Kelce in the ’90s, described the former quarterback as a ‘hater.’ 

Orlovsky, however, was quick to point out that he’s taken his wife and daughter to the ‘Eras Tour’ movie. 

‘I want to be with someone who motivates me too,’ Qerim then said. 

‘Is that what you said?’ Smith replied, switching back to his suggestive tone.

Kelce and Swift were spotted dining at an Argentine steakhouse in Kansas City on Monday.