Nebraska deletes post mocking Kelce-Swift engagement after backlash

The University of Nebraska's football program deleted a social media post mocking the recent engagement of NFL star Travis Kelce and singer Taylor Swift after fierce online backlash following the Cornhuskers season opener Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. The X post, published after Nebraska's 20-17 victory over the University of Cincinnati on Aug. 28, superimposed the team's mascot, Herbie Husker, over Kelce in a widely circulated engagement photo and carried the caption "Change of plans." Screenshots of the image circulated before the university removed it.

The edited image and caption drew immediate criticism on X and other platforms, with many users calling the post disrespectful and coarse. "The post by Nebraska football, which I'm not sharing, is disgusting," one user wrote on X. "Taylor, whether you like her music or not, is a human being and deserves respect." Another posted, "Wow, Nebraska. Such an inconsiderate post. Congrats on the win, but keep Taylor out of this you pieces of garbage."

A spokesperson for Nebraska athletics confirmed the post was deleted and issued a statement saying the "ill-advised post" generated strong responses and comments that "took the...