Houston Texans C.J. Gardner‑Johnson Vs. Taylor Swift: How The Feud Started And Escalated?
July 20, 2026
This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on July 18, 2026
The drama began after the Philadelphia Eagles, Gardner-Johnson’s team at the time, defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2026.
Taylor Swift, who has been dating Chiefs’ tight end since 2026, was at the game cheering for Kansas City.
After the victory, Gardner-Johnson took to Instagram with a post that started the online drama.
He shared a photo of himself facing Kelce on the field, captioning it, “Should’ve stayed with that thick,” which fans interpreted as a dig at Swift and a reference to Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, .
This comment didn’t sit well with Taylor’s fans. They felt it was disrespectful not only to the singer but also to Kelce’s past relationship.
by in
Fans flooded social media, calling out Gardner-Johnson for what they saw as body-shaming and unnecessary trash talk.
Swifties didn’t stop at online criticism. They took their retaliation to the next level by , a Florida restaurant owned by Gardner-Johnson’s mother, Del Johnson.
The restaurant was hit with a wave of one-star reviews on Yelp and Google, many from accounts that had never previously reviewed a business.
This review bombing game drew criticism from Eagles fans and others who felt Swifties had crossed a line by targeting Gardner-Johnson’s family business. Some called it unfair, pointing out that his mother had nothing to do with the feud.
Eagles supporters even tried to counter the negative reviews by posting positive ones to boost the restaurant’s rating.
Gardner-Johnson Escalated the Controversy with Infamous Super Bowl Sweatshirt!
Instead of backing off, Gardner-Johnson leaned into the controversy. On February 14, 2026, during the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory parade in Philadelphia, he wore a sweatshirt that read, “Swifties can LIX my b—-.”
In no time, the shirt, which referenced the Super Bowl LIX (59) title, went viral after he posted it on Instagram Live, and photos of it spread across social media.
Later, Gardner-Johnson said that the sweatshirt was a gift from a friend of Eagles’ staff member Big Dom DiSandro.
Similarly, he later explained on The Pivot Podcast that it was meant as a locker room joke, not a personal attack. However, Swifties and some Houston-based fans saw it differently.
Gardner-Johnson Trade to Texans Sparks Swiftie Karma Claims!
The feud took a new turn when the Eagles traded Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans on March 11, 2026, for offensive lineman Kenyon Green and draft picks.
While Eagles GM Howie Roseman cited financial reasons for the trade, Swifties were quick to claim it was “karma” for Gardner-Johnson’s actions.
Social media buzzed with fans joking that Taylor Swift’s influence somehow played a role.
One X user wrote, “Taylor Swift somehow worked her magic to get CJ Gardner-Johnson traded out of Philly after that parade shirt.”
Another said, “The Eagles probably traded CJ partly because of the Taylor Swift thing. Let’s not lie here.”
Gardner-Johnson expressed shock and frustration over the trade, telling he felt “highly disrespected” by the Eagles.
He believed the team traded him because they were “scared of a competitor” and couldn’t handle his outspoken personality.
Despite the drama, he shared a heartfelt farewell to Philadelphia on Instagram, thanking the city and fans for their support.
- Check other Articles on
Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.
Related articles
May 13, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 8, 2026
Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
Share article
- May 13, 2026 Residents of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, are raising serious concerns after a series of violent incidents involving a group of young boys who have been targeting...
- May 13, 2026 Andrew O' Donnell of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away at the age of 39. He was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, and later moved to Ancramdale, New...
- May 12, 2026 Judy (Evans) Milby of Rockwall, Texas, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80. Milby was born on July 25, 1945, to her father,...
- May 12, 2026 Residents of Dromore, Co. Down, are calling for action after a deeply concerning incident at the local play park, where older children were reported...
- May 11, 2026 A video circulating on Facebook has sparked a heated debate among Bell Gardens residents after police were called on a group of kids riding...
