Jason Kelce has issued an on-air apology for repeating an anti-gay slur directed at his brother Travis Kelce by a heckler who smashed his phone in an incident that went viral on social media over the weekend.
“Everybody saw what happened,” Kelce began at the top of ESPN Monday Night Countdown Radio. “I’m not happy with anything that happened. I’m not proud of it. In a heated moment I chose to meet hate with hate, and I don’t think that’s productive, I really don’t. I don’t think it’s conducive to discourse and it is [not] the right way to deal with things.”
In a series of clips that gained momentum on Saturday, a man can be heard mocking Jason Kelce using a homophobic slur against his brother in reference to his relationship with singer Taylor Swift. In response, the retired Philadelphia Eagles player walked around and smashed the man’s phone on the ground, repeating the same insult to his face. The incident occurred at the Ohio State-Penn State game at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
“In that moment I fell to a level that I wasn’t supposed to,” he continued. “So, I guess the bottom line is I try to live my life according to the Golden Rule, and that’s what I’ve always been taught. I try to treat people with decency and respect, and I will continue to do that going forward despite my failure this week.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been dating pop star Swift since September of last year. The musician and athlete have been seen together along with family members at various football games. Swift arrived at tonight’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to support Travis Kelce. (His team won 30-24 in overtime).
“We have a game to focus on, and obviously it’s a game. Jason Kelce said in his closing remarks: “I don’t think this is necessarily the forum to go into more detail.”
A source