Jason Kelce went into detail about an incident in which he smashed a fans phone onto the ground after a homophobic slur was used in his direction Saturday while outside Beaver Stadium before the Penn State-Ohio State game.
During the latest installment of his New Heights podcast, Kelce explained what led to him confronting a male fan, who called his brother Travis Kelce a f-t for dating Taylor Swift, as seen in videos on social media.
Im not happy about the situation, Kelce began. Me reacting gave him the time of day and it also gave the situation notoriety. Thats what I regret. Alright. It didnt deserve attention. Its really stupid and if I just keep walking its a fking nothing burger. Nobody sees it.
Now its out there and it just perpetuates more hate. The thing that I regret the most is saying that word to be honest with you. That word he used, its just fking ridiculous, it takes it to another level. Its just off the wall, fking over the line. As a human it got under my skin. And it elicited a reaction and in the heat of the moment.
I thought, What can I say back to him? Im gonna throw that st right back in his face because fk him. I know now I shouldnt have done that because now there is a video out there with me saying that word, him saying that word and its not good for anybody. I think what I do regret is that now there is a video that is very hateful that is now online that has been seen by millions of people and I share fault in perpetuating it and having it out there.
5Jason Kelce goes into detail about when he smashed a fans phone on the ground outside Beaver stadium before the PSU-Ohio State game on Nov. 2, 2024.X
Travis applauded his big brother for how he handled the turmoil afterward, and called the heckler a fking clown for speaking about their family.
I know its weighing on you brother, Travis said. That st sucks. You shouldnt feel this much obviously the scrutiny and media view on it and everybody passing around the videos out there. Thats gonna make it a bigger situation than what I think what it really is.
But the real situation is you had some fking clown come up to you and talk about your family and you reacted in a way that was defending your family and you mightve used some words that you regret using and thats you just gotta kind of learn from and own and I think you owning it and speaking about it shows how sincere you are to a lot of people on this world and it shows what you said on Monday night. You dont choose that. Thats just not who you are. I love you brother and I think you said that perfectly.
Kelce went into detail after he addressed the incident on Monday Night Football ahead of the Chiefs victory against the Buccaneers in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium.
Listen, Im not happy with anything that took place. Im not proud of it, the former All-Pro Eagles center said Monday. And in a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just dont think thats a productive thing I really dont. I think it leads to discourse and in that moment, I fell down to a level that I shouldnt have.
So the bottom line is, I try to live my life by the golden rule, thats what Ive always been taught. I try to treat people with common decency and respect, and Im going to keep doing that moving forward, even though I fell short this week.
5Jason Kelce on the sidelines during the first half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 4, 2024.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Kelce, who was in State College to appear on ESPNs College GameDay, was walking near an intersection outside Beaver Stadium when a fan walking behind him yelled a homophobic slur.
Kelce, how does it feel that your brother is a f-t for dating Taylor Swift? they said.
The former Super Bowl champ who was carrying a case of Garage Beer, the company him and Travis became primary investors in this year turned around to confront the fan and smashed their phone on the ground.
One video showed Kelce using the slur back at the fan.
Whos the f-t now? Kelce was heard saying.
Penn State University Police and Public Safety are investigating the incident, a PSU police spokesperson told The Athletic on Tuesday.
5Jason Kelce goes into detail about when he smashed a fans phone on the ground outside Beaver stadium before the PSU-Ohio State game on Nov. 2, 2024.X
A report of the incident on PSU polices daily crime log lists criminal mischief and disorderly conduct as the offenses.
Per the report, an officer said they observed a visitor damaging personal property at an intersection outside Beaver Stadium on Saturday.
ESPN has no plans to punish Kelce as a result of the incident.
Kelce joined the network as an NFL analyst and personality across multiple shows in May, two months after he announced his NFL retirement following 13 seasons, all with the Eagles.
