Over the weekend, Jason Kelce got into an altercation with a person at the Penn State/Ohio State game at Beaver Stadium.
By now, we all know what happened. As Jason Kelce was walking through a sea of fans at the Penn State/Ohio State game this past Saturday, a particular fan shouted a homophoic slur at the retired Philadelphia Eagles center, in reference to his brother, Travis Kelce–Kansas City Chiefs tight end, dating music sensation, Taylor Swift. In response, Jason took this person’s phone–who, according to the NY Post, Penn State has yet to be able to identify–and smashed it to the ground. In a follow up video, Jason can be seen using the same slur after the unidentified person went to push him to the ground.
Before we talk about the news at hand–Jason Kelce’s public response to the incident–We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year wouldn’t be doing it’s due diligence if we didn’t offer our own thoughts on an incident that involved such a beloved Philadelphia icon.
The Jason Kelce Incident
As you get to know the individuals behind the We’ll Get ‘Em Next Year podcast and blog, you’ll soon realize that I consider myself very liberal, if not progressive. Comments like the one this unidentified person screamed make me very angry; not because he’s calling someone f****t, but because he’s using it as an insult, like being gay is a bad thing or that you are lesser because you are gay. Do I think turning around and smashing this guys phone was a bit much? Sure… there are better ways to handle that situation. Do I blame Jason Kelce for reacting that way? Absolutley not. While I can’t say what was going through Jason’s mind at the time, I’d have to imagine that he’s pissed at this guy for attacking his family. Do I think Jason following everything up with using that word against the mystery man was a good idea? Not really, but I also don’t think Jason was using it the same way the other guy was using it. I don’t think Jason was putting down an entire community with it’s use; he was simply emotional.
“I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don’t think that that’s a productive thing.”
Jason kelce, monday night countdown november 4, 2024
So, no, I don’t blame Jason Kelce for either of his responses, nor do I think he was in the wrong to do so. He can replace that loser’s phone, though I wouldn’t even be upset if he didn’t, and Jason was not coming from place of hate. To his credit, Jason recognizes that he could have handled the situation better and that greeting hate with hate isn’t productive. He’s not wrong there and it’s a message I think we could all use.
Jason Kelce Doubles Down on Apology
Ever the professional, Jason Kelce started his Monday Night Countdown gig this week talking about the incident. He was genuine and kept it professional, which shows that he really is a good person (at least in my opinion). He kicked off the show saying:
I think everybody’s seen on social media the thing that took place this week. Listen, I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it. In a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don’t think that that’s a productive thing. I really don’t. I don’t think it leads to discourse, and it’s the right way to go about things, and in that moment I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have.
He wrapped it up saying they had a great game to get ready for. Later in the week, the topic was obviously broached on his podcast that he hosts with his brother. Jeff Skversky cut up some of the clips from the New Heights podcast and shared the video. Jason took a bit more time to talk about the incident and his regret in allowing it to escalate the way it did.
What are you thoughts on this Jason Kelce incident? Share them in the comments below or let us know on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.
