Jason Kelce has spoken out about the incident over the weekend where he smashed a heckler’s phone after the man hurled a slur aimed at his brother, Travis Kelce, for dating Taylor Swift. The 36-year-old former football star was recorded in a heated exchange with a Penn State student on Saturday, November 2, during which he responded to repeated taunts and derogatory remarks about his brother.
The viral video shows the heckler shouting at Jason, “Kelce—how does it feel that your brother is a f—-t for dating Taylor Swift?” In response, Jason walked over, seized the heckler’s phone, and smashed it on the ground before picking it up and walking away. As he did so, he was also heard saying, “Who’s the f—-t now?”—an exchange that quickly spread across social media and sparked a storm of reactions.
Jason addressed the incident publicly during an appearance on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown on November 4, expressing regret about how he handled the situation. “I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it,” he said. Acknowledging the intensity of the moment, he reflected, “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.”
The former athlete went on to describe how he felt he’d fallen short of his personal standards during the confrontation. “In that moment, I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have,” Jason admitted. “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.”
Jason emphasized that he’s determined to move forward with these values intact and that the incident had served as a reminder to keep those principles at the forefront of his actions. “I’m going to keep doing that moving forward,” he said, adding that his focus is now on his team’s upcoming game. “We got a game to focus on, a matchup,” he stated, making it clear that he would not be delving further into the incident.
The Kelce brothers’ personal lives have become more scrutinized than ever, especially as Travis’s relationship with Taylor Swift has attracted massive attention. Jason’s reaction serves as a reminder of the emotional toll that public and often invasive commentary can have on those in the spotlight. Although he regrets his response, Jason’s candid remarks show a willingness to reflect and improve—qualities he clearly values both on and off the field.
