Former NFL player Jason Kelce has addressed a recent heckling incident at Penn State University, sparking discussions about fan behavior in sports.
At a Glance
- Jason Kelce confronted a heckler who used a homophobic slur against his brother, Travis Kelce, at Penn State University
- Kelce reacted by throwing the heckler’s phone to the ground
- The incident occurred during an ESPN College GameDay appearance outside Penn State’s Beaver Stadium
- Penn State University Police are investigating the altercation
- Kelce expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging he responded to hate with hate
Incident at Penn State University
Former Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce found himself at the center of controversy during a recent visit to Penn State University. An incident occurred outside Beaver Stadium during the Ohio State-Penn State game, where Kelce made an ESPN College Game Day appearance. A heckler, wearing a Penn State hoodie, approached Kelce and referred to his brother, Travis Kelce, with a homophobic slur.
Kelce subsequently grabbed the heckler’s phone and threw it on the ground. The altercation quickly went viral on social media, with users describing it as a “wild scene in State College.” Additional footage shows the fan searching for his phone and asking Kelce to return it.
Jason Kelce addresses the incident at Penn State over the weekend: “I’m not proud of it.. I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don't think that's a productive thing."pic.twitter.com/44xX3tmlID
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) November 4, 2024
Kelce’s Reflection and Regret
Following the incident, Kelce addressed his actions and expressed remorse for his behavior. He acknowledged that his response was not productive and fell short of his own standards.
“In a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate. … I fell short this week,” Kelce said. He went on to emphasize the importance of maintaining composure in challenging situations and stated that responding to negativity with more negativity is not a constructive approach.
“Listen, I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it. And in a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate. And I just don’t think that that’s a productive thing,” Mr. Kelce stated.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Penn State University Police have launched an investigation into the incident, but have not specified who is being investigated or provided detailed information about the altercation.
Kelce, who retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024, remains in the public eye as a co-host of the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Travis. The homophobic slur was directed at Travis Kelce’s high profile romance with superstar Taylor Swift, with the heckler referring to Kelce as a “fa**ot” for being in a relationship with a powerful woman.
