C.J. Gardner-Johnson just couldn’t help himself. Fresh off a Super Bowl celebration, he decided to take a jab — not at an opponent but at Taylor Swift’s fanbase. While most players were soaking in the moment, Gardner-Johnson stirred up the drama by shading Swifties during the parade.
And, unsurprisingly, the internet fired back. Fans weren’t having it, calling his antics unnecessary and immature.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson vs. Swifties: Super Bowl Parade Sparks Fan Backlash
Gardner-Johnson didn’t just celebrate the Eagles’ Super Bowl win — he made sure Swifties had something to talk about, too. During the victory parade, the outspoken safety rocked an NSFW shirt aimed at Swift’s fans, doubling down on the shade he threw after the game. And just like that, the internet erupted.
Fans immediately called him out, branding the move as “really immature.”
this is really immature
— Carly (@carlymersky) February 14, 2025
But others weren’t so quick to sympathize, pointing out that Swifties allegedly targeted Gardner-Johnson’s mother’s restaurant with negative Yelp reviews.
The restaurant had already closed, but that didn’t stop them from trying to hurt her business. One fan commented, “I’d feel bad if they didn’t try to ruin his mother’s business.”
I'd feel bad if they didn't try to ruin his mother's business
— Mostly Eagles Tweets (@MostlyEagles) February 14, 2025
Another user quipped with more alleged claims, “And what do you call swifties coming for his mom and trying to tank her business and calling ICE on her?”
A third commented, siding with the Swifties, “That’s horrible. But are ppl going to ignore what he’s been posting too, goes both ways.”
Gardner-Johnson, never one to back down from trash talk, seems unbothered by the backlash. His mother even backed him up, saying he’s been talking smack since he was a kid, and he can back it up.
On the field, he put up three tackles in the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce, Swift’s boyfriend, had a quiet night with just four catches for 39 yards.
With emotions running high and social media on fire, this saga isn’t cooling off anytime soon. But one thing’s for sure: Philly is still partying, and Gardner-Johnson’s enjoying every second of it.
Swifties Strike Back: Gardner-Johnson’s Mom Caught in the Crossfire
Gardner-Johnson’s Super Bowl victory lap hit a wild twist when his mom’s restaurant may have got caught in the crossfire. After the Eagles’ 40-22 beatdown of the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, Gardner-Johnson threw some shade at Kelce’s past relationship, and the Swifties weren’t having it.
Allegedly, Swift’s fans flooded his mother’s restaurant, King’s Grill, with a wave of one-star reviews. However, the Florida spot had already shut down in January. Gardner-Johnson’s parents, Brian and Del, told TMZ Live they’re unbothered by the cyber attack, as they’ve moved on to a new restaurant, Village Bier Garten.
“We’re good,” Del said, brushing off the online heat.
The backlash started after Gardner-Johnson posted a photo of himself lining up against Kelce, adding a not-so-subtle dig at the tight end’s ex, Kayla Nicole. People raced to Yelp and Google to trash King’s Grill, forcing both platforms to restrict comments.
Despite the online drama, Gardner-Johnson is still celebrating.