During a recent social media interaction, Jackson Mahomes, the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left a flirtatious comment on an Instagram post featuring Kayla Nicole, the ex-girlfriend of Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce.

The conversation occurred publicly when Jackson complimented Nicole’s appearance on Instagram, saying: “So pretty!” in a recent post. Nicole responded graciously by simply saying, “Thanks, Jack!”

Kayla Nicole had previously been in a long-term relationship with Kelce, a teammate of Jackson’s brother Patrick on the Kansas City Chiefs. Their relationship concluded officially in 2022, and the NFL tight end has since entered a new romantic partnership with globally renowned “Eras Tour” songstress Taylor Swift.

The public first became aware of Kelce and Swift’s relationship during the Chiefs victory over the Chicago Bears in late September. Swift, accompanied by Kelce’s mother, Donna, made her presence known in a luxury box at Arrowhead Stadium. The couple had spent significant time together before their public appearance, eventually confirming their status as an official couple.

During a game in October, Jackson Mahomes was seen sitting behind Swift in the Kelce family suite. He was shown participating in a celebratory handshake with Swift and his sister-in-law, Brittany Mahomes. Due to Brittany and Patrick Mahomes’ closeness to Kelce and Swift, Nicole decided not to follow the couple on social media.

In response, Nicole emphasized to that their love and history remain strong despite the changing circumstances. She told PEOPLE: “The reality is I know these people in real life.

“And so, in real life, I’ve communicated to these people why I’ve had to publicly make the decisions that I made. That’s a lot of history and friendship there, that doesn’t change overnight.

“But publicly, because things are happening so quickly and so publicly, I have to protect myself. That’s really all that is. The love is still there.”

Jackson Mahomes faced legal troubles earlier in the year. In May, he was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual battery related to an incident that occurred in February.

Jackson is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 3, 2024, contesting allegations of forcibly kissing a nightclub owner, Aspen Vaughn, during a party at Aspens Restaurant and Lounge in Overland Park, Kansas. Vaughn recounted the incident, expressing discomfort and seeking assistance due to Jackson’s actions.