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College professor sends class home to ‘process’ news that Taylor Swift is engaged

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and Taylor Swift walk off the field after the trophy ceremony following the Chiefs’ 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and Taylor Swift walk off the field after the trophy ceremony following the Chiefs’ 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. ecuriel@kcstar.com

One of the funniest reactions Tuesday to the news that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged happened in a college classroom in Tennessee.

That would be Matthew Pittman’s class at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

He’s the associate professor who went viral in November when he posted a “staged” video of himself waking up sleeping students in his social media class by screaming emo lyrics at them.

This guy.

Well, the news Tuesday that Swift and Kelce were tying the knot was just too much for him to process, as seen in a video shared on social media.

“We have a biochem midterm today, but Taylor and Travis just got engaged,” Pittman said, standing in front of an auditorium full of students. (He teaches in the school of advertising and public relations.)

“No way!” a male voice shouted as cheering began rippling through the auditorium.

Pittman had Swift’s Instagram announcement displayed on the video board in back of him.

“Due to this information, I can’t focus. You all can’t focus. Class is canceled, get outta here,” Pittman told the students.

As he finished a kid in an orange T-shirt ran past him like the building was on fire.

“We need to process this information,” Pittman told the students as they scattered.

“This man is a hero,” someone wrote in the comments

Read more Star coverage on Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s engagement:

Taylor Swift’s engagement ring is a stunner estimated to be worth $550,000 or more

23 games, 13 concerts: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s relationship by the numbers

‘I don’t know nothing!’ Chiefs role player speaks on engagement of a lifetime

Trump, Chiefs players, others react to Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce engagement

Photos: See Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce’s Kansas City love story through the years

Follow More of Our Reporting on Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

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Lisa Gutierrez
The Kansas City Star
Lisa Gutierrez has been a reporter for The Kansas City Star since 2000. She learned journalism at the University of Kansas, her alma mater. She writes about pop culture, local celebrities, trends and life in the metro through its people. Oh, and dogs. You can reach her at lgutierrez@kcstar.com or follow her on Twitter - @LisaGinKC.
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