C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the star defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, may have made waves on social media with a cheeky jab at Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift, but it’s his parents who are now the ones making headlines. In an exclusive interview on TMZ Live, Brian and Del Johnson, C.J.’s parents, addressed the controversy surrounding their family-owned restaurant, King’s Grill, which became the target of a wave of negative reviews following their son’s online remarks.
Despite the online backlash, the Johnsons remain unfazed, confident that the cyber assault won’t affect their lives or their business. In fact, they revealed that the King’s Grill, located in Rockledge, Florida, had been closed since late January – long before C.J.’s viral comments about Kelce and Swift stirred up a frenzy among fans.
The King’s Grill Controversy: Swifties Strike Back
The online attack began just after Super Bowl LIX, where the Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a commanding 40-22 victory. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, in true trash-talk fashion, posted a playful (and controversial) comment on social media following the win. He shared a photo of himself standing next to Kelce during the game with the caption: “Should’ve Stayed w that thick s****,” a reference to Kelce’s ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole.
This comment quickly caught the attention of Taylor Swift’s dedicated fanbase, known as the Swifties, as well as passionate fans of the Kansas City Chiefs. Their swift response was a barrage of negative online reviews flooding the Yelp and Google pages of King’s Grill. The eatery, owned by C.J.’s mother, Delatron Johnson, was bombarded with dozens of one-star reviews, each one expressing disdain for the alleged dig at Kelce.
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The backlash was so intense that Yelp issued an “Unusual Activity Alert” for the King’s Grill page, temporarily disabling the ability to leave comments. Meanwhile, Google seemed to have removed the recent reviews that flooded the restaurant’s page, likely to curb the flood of negative feedback.
The Johnson Family Stays Strong
Despite the surge of negative online attention, Brian and Del Johnson are keeping their heads high. In their interview with Harvey and Charles on TMZ Live, the couple emphasized that they are not bothered by the cyber attacks. “We’re good,” Del said, dismissing any concerns about the restaurant’s reputation. She also made it clear that their family’s plans to attend the Super Bowl parade in Philadelphia and honor their son’s achievements in Florida are still very much in place.
The Johnsons also shared exciting news about a new chapter in their lives. After closing King’s Grill, they’ve ventured into a new business – a restaurant called Village Bier Garten, located in the Cocoa, Florida area. This marks a fresh start for the family, and Delatron expressed her optimism, saying, “We’re going to be fine regardless of who posts what or says anything.”
The Super Bowl Victory and the Aftermath
C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s bold comment on social media came just hours after the Eagles clinched the Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs. Known for his confident, brash personality, C.J. seemed to relish the opportunity to poke fun at Kelce, especially given the Kansas City tight end’s ongoing connection with pop superstar Taylor Swift.
In the aftermath of the win, Gardner-Johnson shared a photo from the game, standing beside Kelce, with his controversial caption aimed at the Chiefs player. His remark, while seemingly playful, was immediately picked up by Swifties and fans of Kelce, leading to an avalanche of online criticism.
But despite the online storm, Gardner-Johnson’s parents remain unbothered. Delatron Johnson, in particular, was adamant that the family won’t let the social media firestorm distract them. The family is looking forward to attending the Super Bowl parade in Philadelphia, where C.J. will be honored alongside his teammates. Additionally, Gardner-Johnson will receive a key to the city of his hometown in Florida as part of his post-Super Bowl celebrations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Gardner-Johnson and His Family
With the Super Bowl behind him and the spotlight squarely on his career, C.J. Gardner-Johnson continues to make waves both on and off the field. While the viral comment about Kelce may have sparked a temporary online firestorm, it has also solidified Gardner-Johnson’s reputation as a player who doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind.
As for his family, the Johnsons are clearly focused on their future. The closure of King’s Grill and the opening of Village Bier Garten mark a new chapter in their lives, one that they are excited to pursue regardless of the online drama. And with the upcoming Super Bowl parade and key-to-the-city ceremony in Florida, it’s clear that the Gardner-Johnson family has much to celebrate in the coming days.
