Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart has sparked controversy after slapping Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during a game and then making a pointed reference to Kelce's fiancée, Taylor Swift, on social media.
During Friday's Week 1 matchup in São Paulo, Brazil, Tart struck the front of Kelce's helmet in the third quarter, drawing a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. The Chargers won 27-21.
After the game, Tart posted a video on Instagram showing a character being slapped from the film How High, captioned: 'I’m too swift with it even in Brazil…' The word 'swift' was widely interpreted as a dig at Swift, who announced her engagement to Kelce last month.
Fans criticised Tart in the comments, with one writing: 'Involving his fiancée in this while your lady isn't mentioned by Trav or other is really awful.' Another quipped: 'Taylor Swift has more Super Bowls than your team btw.'
Some questioned why Tart was not ejected, but YouTube rules analyst Terry McAulay explained that the slap was an open-hand contact, not a closed fist, so ejection was not warranted under NFL rules.
The Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch.
