Current:Home > ScamsJason Kelce apologizes for role in incident involving heckler's homophobic slur -Elevate Capital Network
Jason Kelce apologizes for role in incident involving heckler's homophobic slur
Charles H. Sloan View
Date:2025-04-09 15:00:39
Jason Kelce apologized on his part for an incident he was involved in with an unruly fan during the weekend.
The former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro was in Pennsylvania on Saturday when he appeared on ESPN's "College GameDay" prior to the Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup. Social media footage showed Kelce walking through a crowd near Beaver Stadium while several people asked for selfies and acknowledged him. However, one person in a Penn State hoodie hurled anti-LGTBQ slurs toward Kelce about his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
"Hey Kelce! How does it feel your brother is a (expletive) for dating Taylor Swift?" the person shouted.
Kelce turned around, grabbed the fan's phone and spiked it into the ground before picking up the phone and continuing to walk. Another video shared on social media showed the fan chasing Kelce and saying "give me my phone." Kelce then replied, "Who's the (expletive) now?"
Jason Kelce: 'Not proud' of incident
Now an analyst with ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown," Kelce apologized for his role in the incident prior to the Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Monday night.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
"Everybody's seen on social media everything that took place this week," Kelce said. "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.
"In that moment, I fell down to a level that I shouldn't have."
Kelce added he tries to live his life by treating people with decency and respect and he "fell short" of his expectations.
The Super Bowl 52 champion is in Kansas City for ESPN's coverage of the game that includes his brother, who is dating pop icon Swift.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (96)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- U.S. announces 7 POWs who died in World War II, 9 soldiers killed in Korea have been accounted for
- Texas doctor charged with obtaining confidential patient information on transgender care
- Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Run, Don’t Walk to Lands’ End for 50% Off Swimwear & 40% Off Everything Else for a Limited Time Only
- Fire destroys Chicago warehouse and injures 2 firefighters
- Why Pregnant Francesca Farago Recommends Having a Baby With a Trans Man
- RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
- Juneteenth also serves as a warning. Millions of Americans want to go backwards.
Ranking
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- More life sentences for shooter in fatal LGBTQ+ nightclub attack
- Krispy Kreme releases 'Friends'-themed doughnuts, but some American fans aren't happy
- Justin Timberlake: What's next after his DWI arrest. Will he continue his tour?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Arkansas governor signs income, property tax cuts into law
- Romanian national pleads guilty to home invasion at Connecticut mansion
- Girl found slain after missing 8th grade graduation; boyfriend charged
Recommendation
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Justin Timberlake's Attorney Speaks Out on DWI Arrest
Olympic Hopeful J.J. Rice's Sister Speaks Out After His Fatal Diving Accident
With pardons in Maryland, 2.5 million Americans will have marijuana convictions cleared or forgiven
Connie Chiume, Black Panther Actress, Dead at 72: Lupita Nyong'o and More Pay Tribute
Shonda Rhimes on first Black Barbie, star of Netflix documentary: 'She was amazing'
Matt Grevers, 39, in pool for good time after coming out of retirement for Olympic trials
2024 College World Series highlights: Tennessee rolls past Florida State, advances to CWS final