Mick Foley is a big fan of Taylor Swift.
Taking to his Facebook page this week, the WWE Hall of Famer revealed that he’s now a member of the “Swiftie Army.”
Foley wrote,
AN UNLIKELY SWIFTIE
Hey, please welcome none other than Taylor Swift to #TheBloodline! I laughed so hard when I saw this meme and I hope that you enjoy it as well. But I’m going to use this fun little image as a way of explaining why I am a #Swiftie – despite not being what you might consider a huge fan in the tradition sense.
I do enjoy Taylor’s music. Don’t get me wrong. My two older kids love Taylor Swift, and her music is an indelible part of the soundtrack to so many of our lives – whether we realize it or not. I think she is a gifted songwriter, and an amazing performer. But in wrestle-speak, Taylor Swift is “over” with me for a completely different reason.
In 2007, my longtime friend Jeff Jarrett lost his wife, his high school sweetheart Jill to cancer. Jeff and I met in 1988 in his father’s Memphis based CWA promotion, or were almost the same age (Jeff was 21 at the time and I was 23) ended up working together regularly together for over 20 years – in CWA, World Class, WWE and TNA. He is a fellow WWE Hall of Fame member, and a good friend to this day. We even shared a few texts earlier today, as I wanted his approval before I wrote about some thing as personal as Jill’s passing.
So, how does any of this involve Taylor Swift? Well, my thoughts of Jeff Jarrett and Taylor Swift are indelibly linked, as it was at this incredibly difficult time in Jeff’s life, just after the passing of his wife, that I heard Jeff say something that has obviously stuck with me to this day. I’m not even sure who was involved in the conversation with Jeff that I overheard. I believe it was Jeremy Borash… I’m paraphrasing here, but the words were to the effect of “Taylor took the girls out for the day” and how important that time with her was to them. I was literally stunned to find out that the Taylor he had mentioned was Taylor Swift, who in 2007 was already well on her way to being a global superstar, with eponymous 2006 album, “Taylor Swift” several months into an astonishing 157 weeks on the #Billboard200 charts.
As touched as I was by this story, I thought it was a random act of kindness done on a one-time basis. But I came to understand that Taylor, who had become a neighbor of Jeff’s in Hendersonville, Tennessee and was a regular part of the girls lives as they grew up. She did not just take them out for that one day; she was there for them during the most difficult part of their lives. She baked cookies, she sang in their living room, she babysat while Jeff was at his wife’s bedside; she was a true friend and a shining example of kindness when kindness was needed most.
As Jeff himself put it in one of our texts, “Putting the girls in one of her videos (Jeff’s daughter, Jaclyn portrayed young Taylor in the 2010 video “Mine”) is the story most people know. Her spending quality time , baking cookies, talking, just being there, is what’s special. In the middle of her career exploding would have been “a reason” that she was too busy. That young lady is special.”
She truly is. I got tears in my eyes when I read that message from Jeff – and I’m grateful that he has allowed me to share it with all of you. Maybe this story might even make some of the haters out there to consider directing their hate in some other direction – or maybe rid themselves of that hatred altogether… I do not own a Taylor Swift CD, I have never seen her perform live, and honestly – even given how ubiquitous her music is in our lives – might not be able to give you the name of 10 Taylor Swift songs of my life depended on it. But I love Taylor Swift – and in my own way, am a Swiftie for life.
Mick Foley, the WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend, recently revealed his admiration for pop superstar Taylor Swift. In a heartfelt post on his Facebook page, Foley announced that he has joined the “Swiftie Army,” expressing his appreciation for Swift’s music and her personal acts of kindness.
Foley begins his post by acknowledging that he may not be considered a huge fan of Taylor Swift in the traditional sense. However, he explains that he does enjoy her music and recognizes her talent as a songwriter and performer. Foley also mentions that his two older children are big fans of Swift, making her music a significant part of their lives.
But what truly made Foley a fan of Taylor Swift goes beyond her music. He shares a touching story about his longtime friend Jeff Jarrett, who tragically lost his wife to cancer in 2007. During this difficult time, Foley overheard Jarrett mentioning how Taylor Swift had taken his daughters out for the day. This act of kindness deeply touched Foley, as he realized that Swift had become a true friend to Jarrett’s family during their darkest moments.
Foley goes on to explain that Swift didn’t just spend one day with Jarrett’s daughters; she was a consistent presence in their lives as they grew up. She would bake cookies, sing in their living room, and even babysit while Jarrett was by his wife’s bedside. Swift’s genuine friendship and kindness left a lasting impression on Foley and Jarrett.
In one of their text conversations, Jarrett expressed his gratitude for Swift’s support and emphasized that her involvement in one of her music videos was just one aspect of her impact. It was her willingness to spend quality time with the girls, offering comfort and support when they needed it most, that truly made her special.
Foley concludes his post by sharing his own emotional response to Jarrett’s message and expressing his gratitude for being able to share this story with his fans. He hopes that this story might inspire those who harbor negativity or hatred towards Swift to reconsider their feelings or let go of their animosity altogether.
In the end, Foley admits that he may not own any of Taylor Swift’s CDs, nor has he seen her perform live. However, he considers himself a Swiftie for life, appreciating her music and the kindness she has shown to those in need.
Mick Foley’s story serves as a reminder that celebrities can have a profound impact on people’s lives beyond their public personas. Taylor Swift’s acts of kindness and genuine friendship have touched the lives of those close to her, leaving a lasting impression on both Foley and Jarrett. It is a testament to the power of compassion and the ability to make a difference in someone’s life, regardless of fame or fortune.