Former NFL player Jason Kelce made news on Saturday, November 2when he smashed a fan’s phone after the person shouted a homophobic slur at Kelce that involved his brother Travis. The incident took place at Penn State University, where Jason was attending the Ohio-Penn State football game.
Kelce was outside the stadium, but still inside the Penn State campus when a fan hurled a homophobic slur at Travis over his relationship with Taylor Swift, yelling at Jason Kelce, “How does it feel that your brother is a f***** for dating Taylor Swift?” Kelce’s reaction was quick, he turned back and smashed the fan’s phone, with the video of his confrontation with the fan going viral shortly after. But people were not really upset at Kelce, with many on social media supporting his actions.
Despite what was almost overwhelming support on social media, Monday Night Countdown on November 4 started with Kelce addressing the incident, saying. “I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it. 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,” he explained.
He continued, “In that moment I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have. The 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.”
Sources told The Daily Mail that Travis Kelce and Swift were “genuinely shocked” at what happened.“Jason’s known as one of the nicest guys around, and this was so out of character.” The source said. But, for fans, it was just proof of the love Jason Kelce has for his brother Travis and of the fact that he now considers Taylor Swift part of his family.
“Jason’s bond with Travis is unbreakable,” the insider also said. “He won’t stand for anyone crossing that line, especially now that Taylor is involved.”
Moreover, the insider added, “The use of the word f****t is not okay with him nor anyone. This fan crossed the line. Jason will never stand for anyone insulting his family and he views Taylor as family now.”
Jason and Travis Kelce are extremely close, and their bond is typically on display in their New Heights podcast, which they host together. The brothers recently landed a $100million deal to produce the podcast. Jason Kelce retired from football earlier this year after 13 years playing in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won on Super Bowl title as their center.
Travis, who some people have come to know as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, is considered one of the best tight ends in the game and plays for the Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. He has won three Super Bowls with the Chiefs.
Both brothers addressed the issue in the latest episode of their New Heights podcast, with Travis saying, “I know it’s weighing on you brother, that s*** sucks. You shouldn’t feel this much, obviously the scrutiny and the media view on it and everybody passing around the videos that are being out there.”
Travis Kelce also added, “But, the real situation is you had some f***ing clown come up to you and talk about your family and you reacted in a way that was defending your family. And, you might have used some words that you regret using. And, that’s a situation where you just kinda have to learn from and own.”