Antonio Brown, Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift (Images via Getty Images & Instagram)
Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown stirred controversy by taking a jab at Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the teamâs narrow 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Brownâs social media post highlighted Kelceâs high-profile engagement to pop star Taylor Swift, mocking the tight end amid growing scrutiny over his performance and the Chiefsâ shaky start to the 2025 season.
What Antonio Brownâs social media post said and why it matters
In a pointed social media post, Brown shared an edited image of the back of Kelceâs jersey, replacing his name with âMrs. Swiftâ above the number 87. The post quickly went viral, sparking debate among fans and analysts about professionalism and personal attacks in the public sphere.
Brownâs criticism came after a visible moment of frustration from Kelce during the game, where he slammed his helmet and reportedly shouted, âIâm sick of this s-!â following a dropped touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes.Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sought to downplay the outburst, suggesting it was meant to motivate teammates, but the incident underscored the growing pressure on Kelce and the team.
Chiefsâ season struggles and Taylor Swiftâs discreet presence
The Chiefs are off to an unexpectedly rough start, having lost both of their first two gamesâincluding a prior defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Analysts point to injuries to key players like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, along with offensive cohesion issues, as major contributors to their struggles.
Despite the drama, the game set a new viewership record with 33.8 million viewers, the most-watched NFL game before November 1, according to Nielsen. Taylor Swift attended the Eagles vs. Chiefs matchup discreetly, avoiding media attention but fueling further interest in the intersection of pop culture and the NFL.Also Read:Â âBe better role modelsâ: Travis Kelce faces backlash for supporting Rashee Rice amid hit-and-run controversyAs the Chiefs prepare for their next game against the New York Giants, the spotlight remains on Kelce to deliver strong performances and help the team turn its season around.