The Baltimore Ravens have parted ways with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson just one week after adding him to their practice squad.
The decision is being labeled by the Ravens as “an amicable mutual decision,” but die-hard Swift fans might attribute it to some Tayvoodoo.
Gardner-Johnson, 27, made headlines after clashing with Taylor Swift’s fan base post-Super Bowl, following his Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Swift, 35, became engaged to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in August after two years of dating.
“Should’ve Stayed with that thick s***,” Gardner-Johnson posted on his Instagram Story after the match, sharing a photo where he was seen taunting Kelce, 36. His comment was directed at Kelce’s former partner, Kayla Nicole. (Kelce and Nicole, 33, were together for five years prior to his relationship with Swift. The pop star is also believed to have alluded to Nicole in her latest album track, “Opalite.”)
Gardner-Johnson did not hold back on his jabs at the Swifties during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory parade, donning a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Swifties Can LIX My Balls.”
On Tuesday, October 14, Gardner-Johnson shared on X, “I want to express my gratitude to all the teams I’ve been part of, my coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. Each experience has contributed to my growth on and off the field. I’m truly thankful for the opportunities and memories. Football is deeply ingrained in who I am, and my enthusiasm for the game remains unwavering. I look forward to continuing to work, improve, and play the sport I love.”
This marks the second time that Gardner-Johnson has been let go by a team within a month. After being released by the Houston Texans in September, fans celebrated what they perceived to be a case of Tayvoodoo — their belief that anyone who upsets Swift encounters karmic consequences.
On Tuesday, fans were buzzing again, with one user commenting on X, “It’s rare to see Tayvoodoo work so effectively, and I believe this is just the beginning.”
“Tayvoodoo has affected this guy’s pay in less than a year; many others may soon find themselves in the same boat,” one user commented.
Gardner-Johnson initially joined the Ravens on October 7. However, his role became uncertain when the team acquired another safety on the same day. Throughout his seven years in the NFL, he has achieved a total of 18 interceptions, including three in 2024 with the Eagles.
After Gardner-Johnson’s comments about Swift’s fanbase post-Super Bowl, Swifties flooded a restaurant previously owned by his parents, Brian and Del, with negative feedback.
He shared with TMZ in February, “I received screenshots from friends showing me the reviews, and their first reaction was, ‘The Swifties are attacking.’”
Notably, the restaurant had shut down a month earlier, with Brian and Del launching a new establishment in Cocoa, Florida.
“He inherited that competitive spirit from me,” Del remarked, adding that the family was well-known, stating, “We’re going to be fine no matter what people say or post.”
“We’re not afraid of any backlash,” Brian added.
