Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (Photo By Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
It started out like any other star-studded night in South Florida, cameras flashing, jerseys flying, and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce stealing just enough attention to make hockey fans grumble and Swifties cheer.

The pop icon and the NFL star showed up courtside for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, instantly becoming part of the night’s spectacle as the Edmonton Oilers clawed their way back into the series against the Florida Panthers.

But while the Oilers forced overtime and kept the Cup dream alive, it was a 41-year-old ex-quarterback sitting miles away from the ice who managed to light the biggest fire online. Ryan Fitzpatrick, never one to shy away from a well-timed quip, fired off a one-liner that didn’t just miss with Taylor Swift’s fanbase, just not the way he might’ve expected.

Fan Backlash Heats Up

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Photo By Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Ryan Fitzpatrick took to X and joked, “No Travis and Taylor after the second goal, why am I even watching?!??!”

He aimed the post as a light-hearted take on the couple’s limited screen time after the game’s second goal, but Swift’s loyal fanbase didn’t take it lightly and quickly unleashed a wave of frustration.

Fitzpatrick hasn’t responded to the backlash, and there’s no sign yet that he intended any deeper meaning behind the post. But judging by the reaction, even a joke about Swift’s screen time at a hockey game can snowball into a full-blown controversy.

The Stanley Cup Final resumes with Game 5 this weekend, but if Wednesday was any indication, the off-ice drama might just rival the one unfolding on the rink.