Former Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce is speaking out about an incident in which he confronted a football fan who hurled a homophobic slur at his brother, Travis Kelce, during a football game on November 2. The altercation, which occurred outside Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, has since sparked significant attention on social media.
“I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it,” the 36-year-old Kelce said during Monday Night Countdown on ESPN. “Within a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate and I don’t think that’s a productive thing. I don’t think it leads to discourse.”
“Kelce how does it feel that your brother is a f****t for dating Taylor Swift?”
Jason Kelce proceeded to slam this kids phone on the ground.
Looked like a Penn State student was getting in Kelce’s face for no reason. Wild scene in State College pic.twitter.com/3PEdZXWhSg
— Chives (@jarrett_daveler) November 2, 2024
The incident unfolded when Jason Kelce was walking toward the stadium ahead of the Ohio State-Penn State game. As he made his way through a crowd of fans, some hecklers shouted insults, with one individual specifically targeting his brother, who has been dating singer Taylor Swift since 2023.
In footage that circulated on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the fan can be heard shouting, “Hey, Kelce. How does it feel your brother’s a f—– dating Taylor Swift?” The slur was directed at Travis, the 33-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who has been in the spotlight due to his relationship with Swift.
Jason, visibly upset by the comment, quickly turned around and snatched the fan’s phone from his hands. He then threw the phone to the ground before retrieving it and walking away. The exchange was caught on video, and additional footage later showed the heckler trying to retrieve his phone, with Jason, holding the device, remarking, “Who’s the f—– now?”
The altercation was quickly shared online, with some users commenting on the intensity of the encounter. “Looked like a Penn State student was getting in Kelce’s face for no reason,” one user wrote. “Wild scene in State College.”
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Jason, who was attending the game to make an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, later addressed the situation, expressing regret for his reaction. “In that moment, I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have,” he said during the ESPN segment. “Bottom line is, I try to live my life by the golden rules. That’s what I’ve always been taught. I try to treat people with decency and respect. I’m going to keep doing that moving forward.”
Kelce emphasized that while the incident was regrettable, he didn’t want to dwell on it. “We got a game to focus on. A matchup,” he concluded. “I don’t think this is the platform to necessarily go into more detail.”
The altercation has added fuel to the ongoing public attention surrounding the Kelce brothers, particularly Travis’s high-profile relationship with Swift. The incident also highlights the challenges that public figures often face from fans and critics alike.
Jason’s reaction to the heckler contrasts with his usual public persona, which is generally known for its humor and sportsmanship. The former NFL player has regularly used his platform to advocate for kindness and respect, especially toward his brother, who has been frequently targeted by the media and public eye due to his relationship with the pop star.
On social media, reactions to the incident were mixed. While many fans expressed support for Jason, condemning the use of the slur, others criticized the confrontation, calling it an overreaction. Still, Jason’s quick response highlighted the intense pressure that comes with being in the public spotlight, particularly when family members are involved.
Kelce’s appearance at the Ohio State-Penn State game was part of his ongoing media work, including co-hosting the New Heights podcast with Travis. The brothers have become cultural figures in their own right, and the public has continued to follow their personal and professional lives closely.
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As for Jason, he has made it clear that while he regrets his actions during the altercation, he remains focused on his work, including his role as a co-host on ESPN and his involvement in various sports media projects.
