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Despite the growing backlash over time, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles safety, has remained adamant in his disdain for the worldwide pop icon, Taylor Swift. The assertive Super Bowl 2025 champion, who previously played with Jason Kelce (brother of Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce), turned heads at the victory parade for his team on Friday, February 14, by wearing a lewd sweatshirt conveying his message: "Swifties can LIX my balls."
That warning came after Gardner-Johnson's Instagram Story on February 10, which mocked Travis Kelce and insinuated that he should have returned to dating his ex-Kayla Nicole during the time he would win the Super Bowl rather than being with Swift. Safety's comments about the whole scenario met with disapproval from fans, including Swifties and Eagles supporters alike. The backlash even touched upon his mom's restaurant in Florida, with scores of unfavorable Yelp reviews flooding in.
Booed at Super Bowl 2025
Days after Gardner-Johnson wore the hooded moniker, Swift was greeted with faint jeers when her image appeared on the Jumbotron screen at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans during the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 9. Coming from an Eagles-dominant flow of fandom, it stood in stark contrast to the hero-worship she had experienced during her Eras Tour stop in October, when the venue spectacularly unfurled a giant friendship bracelet in her honor.
Swift was noticeably perturbed by the audience's response, but she swiftly recovered. She turned toward friends Ice Spice and longtime pal Ashley Avignone to share a knowing glance in conjunction with some eye-rolling, thereby brushing it off completely.
Swift Enjoyed Super Bowl Week in New Orleans
Given all the paltry publicity she might receive while in town before the big game, Swift was reportedly having a wonderful time, going on gourmet dinners with boyfriend Kelce, form Chiefs tight end, along with Brittany Mahomes, and then doing a little sightseeing with friends and family about town. Despite mixed fan reactions, Swift could not have cared less, remaining focused on supporting Kelce and the Chiefs.
Saquon Barkley Defends Taylor Swift
By contrast, at least one Eagle must have been rather flummoxed by the audience's response: star running back Saquon Barkley. He voiced his objection to the poor behavior of the crowd on The Howard Stern Show.
"I remember that they showed her on the Jumbotron, and she got booed. I don't get it. I don't get why she was getting hate there," Barkley shared. Stern validated his opinion.
Barkley was also cognizant of how helpful Swift has been for the NFL, more so referred to as the Swifty Effect:
"She's made the game bigger. We're trying to expand the game, and her being a part of it's only helping that."
Heavy Backlash
C.J. Gardner-Johnson's sustained criticism of Taylor Swift has garnered heavy backlash, even infringing upon his day-to-day life. Nevertheless, here she was at the Super Bowl, getting boos, but on the flip side, increasing in power among the NFL and its fandom. And amongst this raging controversy resulting from her presence, one thing is clear: Taylor's influence in sports and pop culture is undeniable.
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