Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson found himself at the center of a heated social media storm after the team’s Super Bowl LIX victory. Known for his bold personality and unfiltered comments, the 27-year-old athlete stirred up controversy when he took aim at Taylor Swift and her devoted fanbase, the Swifties. Gardner-Johnson’s antics began during the Eagles’ post-game celebration, where he wore a hooded sweatshirt with the provocative phrase “Swifties Can LIX My Balls.” The sweater was a clever play on words, referencing the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIX on February 11, 2024.
The drama, however, didn’t start there. Earlier in the week, Gardner-Johnson had already raised eyebrows by trolling Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who had recently been linked to Taylor Swift. The NFL player took a thinly veiled jab at Kelce’s romantic life, posting a picture of himself and Kelce on his Instagram Story with the caption, “Should’ve stayed w that thick s****.” The cryptic message seemed to suggest that Kelce’s brief romance with Swift had somehow cost the Chiefs the game. To make matters worse, Gardner-Johnson later shared a photo of Kayla Nicole, Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, in a bikini, further fueling speculations about his intentions.
The backlash was swift and intense. Swifties, known for their fierce loyalty to the pop star, immediately took to social media to defend Swift and criticize Gardner-Johnson for his perceived body-shaming and disrespectful remarks. The situation took an unexpected turn when Gardner-Johnson deleted the post featuring Kayla Nicole, presumably in response to the mounting criticism. However, the damage was already done, and the incident had sparked a wave of outrage among Swift’s fanbase.
As the drama unfolded, Gardner-Johnson’s mother, Delatron Johnson, stepped into the fray to defend her son. In an interview with TMZ, she revealed that Swifties had begun flooding the reviews of her Florida restaurant, Kings Grill, with fake, negative comments. Delatron claimed that friends had sent her screenshots of the bogus posts, joking that the whole situation was “on the Swifties” and those entertaining the fake reviews. She expressed little concern over the backlash, however, explaining that the restaurant was already closed and in the process of being sold. “There is really no backlash because we are in the process of selling Kings Grill anyways,” she said. “It didn’t affect us one way or another.”
While Delatron seemed unfazed by the situation, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the power and intensity of fandoms like the Swifties. Known for their dedication to Swift, the fanbase has a reputation for defending her against any perceived disrespect or negativity. However, the line between loyalty and overzealous behavior often blurs, leading to situations like this, where fans take matters into their own hands. In this case, the Swifties’ efforts to target Gardner-Johnson’s family business, even if symbolic, highlight the lengths to which fans will go to protect their idols.
For CJ Gardner-Johnson, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks of engaging in public feuds, especially when involving figures as beloved as Taylor Swift. While his bold personality has endeared him to many, it has also landed him in hot water on more than one occasion. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact his reputation both on and off the field. One thing is certain, though: the Swifties are not to be underestimated, and Gardner-Johnson may want to think twice before taking on Taylor Swift’s devoted fanbase in the future.
