Retired NFL star Jason Kelce is taking responsibility for his actions after a heated altercation with a college football fan last weekend. Kelce, who was attending the Ohio State-Penn State game in State College, Pennsylvania, apologized on national television for grabbing and spiking a fan’s phone to the ground.
The incident occurred as Kelce was making his way to the stadium, with fans gathering around him and some heckling the former Philadelphia Eagles center. According to witnesses, one man in a Penn State hoodie shouted a homophobic slur at Kelce, targeting his brother Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, and his relationship with singer Taylor Swift.
“Hey, Kelce. The fan yelled, “How does it feel that your brother is dating Taylor Swift?” Jason responded immediately. Online footage shows Kelce turning around, grabbing the fan’s phone, and throwing it forcefully to the ground. He then picked up the phone and walked away, uttering the words, “Who’s the f— now?”
On Monday Night Football, Kelce addressed the incident, expressing regret for his actions. “In a heated moment, I decided to greet hate with hate,” Kelce said during ESPN’s pregame show. “I fell short this week.”
Kelce acknowledged that his response was not the right way to handle the situation, emphasizing his commitment to treating people with “common decency and respect.” “In essence, I strive to adhere to the golden rule, a principle I’ve learned throughout my life,” he expressed. “I try to treat people with common decency and respect, and I’m going to keep doing that moving forward.”
While Kelce did not go into further details about the altercation, he made it clear that he was not proud of his actions and that he had fallen short of his own standards. Just before Kelce’s appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay for the Ohio State-Penn State matchup, the incident took place. The retired NFL star was in attendance to support his brother Travis, who was preparing to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later that evening.
Kelce’s apology on the national broadcast was a testament to his commitment to accountability and his desire to set a positive example, even in the face of provocation. “I think everybody has seen on social media what happened this week,” Kelce said. “Listen, I’m not pleased with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it.”
The altercation and Kelce’s subsequent apology have sparked discussions about the challenges athletes and public figures face when dealing with unruly fans and the importance of maintaining composure in the face of adversity. “In that moment I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have,” Kelce admitted. “I don’t think it leads to discourse, and it’s the right way to go about things.”
As the NFL and college football seasons continue, Kelce’s words serve as a reminder that even the most passionate fans should treat players and coaches with respect and that resorting to personal attacks or slurs is never acceptable.
With his heartfelt apology, Kelce has demonstrated his commitment to upholding the values he has long espoused, even in the face of a heated and unpleasant encounter. It is a testament to his character and leadership that he is willing to own his mistakes and pledge to do better moving forward.