C.J. Gardner-Johnson Released by Ravens Following Swift Fan Feud

The Baltimore Ravens have parted ways with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson just a week after adding him to their practice squad.

Described by the team as “an amicable mutual decision,” the release has sparked speculation among fans of Taylor Swift, who might interpret it as a case of “Tayvoodoo.”

Gardner-Johnson, 27, became embroiled in controversy following the Super Bowl, where his Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs. Swift, 35, recently got engaged to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after a two-year relationship.

“Should’ve Stayed with that thick s***,” Gardner-Johnson posted on his Instagram Story post-game, sharing a photo of himself mocking Kelce. This comment referenced Kelce’s former girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, with whom he had a five-year relationship before meeting Swift. Notably, Swift is thought to have alluded to Nicole in her song “Opalite” from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.

At the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX championship parade, Gardner-Johnson escalated his jabs by donning a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Swifties Can LIX My Balls.”

On October 14, he expressed gratitude via X, stating, “I just want to take a moment to thank all the teams I’ve been a part of coaches, teammates, and everyone who’s supported me along the way.” He emphasized his passion for football and his eagerness to continue improving in the sport.

This marks the second time in three weeks that Gardner-Johnson has been released from a team. After being cut by the Houston Texans in September, many Swift fans celebrated what they perceived as karmic retribution for his comments.

On social media, reactions poured in. One user remarked, “There were few times that the tayvoodoo worked so much just like with this one here and I think it’s too littleeeee.” Another added, “Tayvoodoo took food out of this fool’s table in less than a year; omg many will face the same in the coming months.”

Gardner-Johnson initially joined the Ravens on October 7, but his position became precarious when the team traded for another safety on the same day. Over his seven-year NFL career, he has recorded 18 interceptions, including three in 2024 while playing for the Eagles.

Following his remarks about Swift’s fanbase after the Super Bowl, Swifties targeted a restaurant previously owned by Gardner-Johnson’s parents with negative reviews. “I have friends who were sending me the screenshots,” he recounted to TMZ in February. “They were going, ‘Oh my God, look at this!’ And the first thing everyone said was, ‘The Swifties have attacked.’”

Interestingly, the restaurant had closed a month prior, with Brian and Del Gardner opening a new establishment in Cocoa, Florida. Del commented on her son’s penchant for trash-talking: “He gets it from his mama. Everybody knows us. They know me. They know who we are. So, we’re fine. We’re going to be fine regardless of who posts what or says anything.”

“We ain’t afraid of no smoke,” Brian added, reinforcing their resilience amidst the controversy.