‘Team Brittany’: T-shirt slams bullies of Kansas City Chiefs QB Mahomes’ fiancee

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Kansas City T-shirt company Charlie Hustle has joined growing support for Brittany Matthews after her champagne celebration at Arrowhead Stadium unleashed a relentless stream of bullying online.

In the minutes following the Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, Matthews, who is engaged to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, sprayed champagne, which landed on cheering, screaming Chiefs fans.. And she hasn’t stopped hearing about it since.

The moment incited sports blog and tabloid headlines and countless nasty tweets and online comments bashing Matthews, co-owner of the new women’s professional soccer team, Kansas City Current.

On Thursday, Charlie Hustle said enough is enough with the launch of a “Team Brittany” T-shirt that will raise money for local anti-bullying efforts.

“But seriously … leave Brittany alone,” the company tweeted in introducing the shirt. “We’re teaming up with @brittanylynne8 & #RedCardKC, an organization founded in KC between @SportingKC & @ChildrensMercy in effort to call out bullying when you see it.

Proceeds from the sales will benefit Red Card, the anti-bullying campaign sponsored by Sporting KC and the children’s hospital, Charlie Hustle tweeted.

Later on Thursday Matthews announced on Twitter she “will be personally matching the donation made to Red Card KC. I appreciate the KC Community!”

As of late Thursday night, sizes of the $36 shirt had sold out.

The champagne spray was caught on video, apparently by the quarterback’s brother, Jackson Mahomes, and was shared by New York-based blog Barstool Sports. It sparked the flood of public criticism, a good bit of it from men and people outside Kansas City. The accompanying Barstool story called her and Jackson Mahomes names.

Matthews hasn’t made an official statement about the incident but has tweeted during the fallout, writing Monday night: “I just wish I could do what I want without getting attacked every week.”

Then on Thursday, before the launch of the T-shirt, she tweeted twice.

“I (find) it pretty pathetic that people care more about clicks & engagement more then someone’s well being. Let’s be better.”

“I hope you all have an amazing day & spread kindness today. The world could use it.”

The last couple of days have brought passionate defense online of the 26-year-old fitness trainer, sports team owner and mother of an almost 1-year-old. Facebook groups of Chiefs fans and Kansas City moms are bursting with supportive comments.

She’s also been encouraged by high-profile folks. Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander rallied to her aid on Monday and scolded people taking potshots, pointing out how much the young Texas native is doing for her adopted hometown.

Rachel Vindman, the wife of retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified at Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment hearings, posted an encouraging tweet, too.

“Do what you want whether you get attacked or not. Trust me on this one,” Vindman tweeted at Matthews.

The Chiefs play the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead on Sunday.