Did Nebraska Football tackle a bit too much when they aimed a social media post at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement? The team quickly deleted the controversial meme after a win, but not before fans weighed in. Find out why the online world erupted and how the university responded to the online uproar.

The University of Nebraska football program recently found itself at the center of a social media storm, swiftly deleting a controversial post that had aimed to troll the widely celebrated engagement of pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL tight end Travis Kelce. This digital misstep, which quickly garnered widespread attention and backlash, highlighted the delicate balance between athletic celebrations and public relations in the age of viral content.

The now-removed post, which appeared on Nebraska’s official X account following the Cornhuskers’ 20-17 victory over the University of Cincinnati, featured an edited photo. In the image, Swift was depicted gazing affectionately into the eyes of Herbie Husker, the Nebraska mascot, instead of her real-life fiancé, Travis Kelce. This attempt at humor, intended to capitalize on the internet-breaking engagement news, soon backfired.

Following its publication, the social media controversy escalated rapidly. Fans of both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, alongside many college football enthusiasts, vocally criticized the university for what they perceived as an insensitive and “disgusting” jest. Public sentiment via platforms like X quickly deemed the post “inconsiderate,” emphasizing that despite celebrity status, individuals deserve respect.

Responding to the swift and intense negative reactions, a spokesperson for the university’s athletic department confirmed the post’s deletion. The statement clarified that the “ill-advised post” had inadvertently shifted attention away from the team’s season-opening victory and created an undesirable distraction, prompting the decision to remove it and refocus on their football team’s achievement.

Interestingly, this incident stood in stark contrast to the approach taken by Travis Kelce’s alma mater, the University of Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats, instead of trolling, embraced the celebrity connection, with their official Instagram account posting a fan’s sign that read, “Taylor Swift Dates Bearcats,” playfully hoping for Swift to become a fan.

Further intertwining the Kelce family with college football, Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce, both alumni of the University of Cincinnati, were present at Arrowhead Stadium for the Thursday night game. Travis, accustomed to being the star on the field for the Chiefs, was behind enemy lines, cheering on his former team from the stands, underscoring the deep roots of the Kelce brothers in American football.

The broader cultural impact of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement news continued to resonate beyond college football social media. Jason Kelce, for instance, used an episode of his popular “New Heights” podcast to offer heartfelt congratulations to the couple, celebrating their “engagement heard ‘round the world” and adding another layer to the widespread public excitement surrounding the celebrity romance.

This episode serves as a significant case study in modern social media engagement, where attempts at humor, especially involving prominent celebrity figures like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, can quickly be scrutinized. It highlights the fine line content creators for large organizations must walk, balancing topical relevance with sensitivity and brand reputation in the fast-paced world of digital news and entertainment.