Knicks guard walks back 'fake fan' jibe at Taylor Swift after backlash

New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek had called Taylor Swift the 'fakest' celebrity fan who sits courtside. After fierce backlash from Swift's fans and a rebuke from his own club, he has walked the comment back.

Kolek probably knew that Swift's fans — the Swifties — would not take the comment well. What he probably did not know was that his own franchise would distance itself from his words almost immediately.

In a statement to OutKick, a Knicks spokesperson said, 'Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization.'

Kolek's girlfriend, Lexi Sousa, did not exactly stand by him either. She reminded him that he himself was among the audience at Swift's Eras Tour.

Under pressure from the Swifties — and even his own girlfriend — Kolek took the comment back. After the Knicks' win over the Cavaliers at the weekend, he said, 'It's just a question that was asked for me, that maybe I answered in the wrong way. Take that on the chin.'

He added, as reported by the New York Post, 'I love her music. We were just playing it five minutes ago, and I'm singing every word to every song. Nothing against her at all.'

He said people had been sending him all sorts of information about Swift coming to the games. 'She was actually wearing a No. 13 jersey of Joakim Noah back in the day with Carmelo Anthony. That's on me. I wasn't up to date on my Taylor Swift Knicks fandom. So that's on me,' he said.