A heated confrontation between former NFL star Jason Kelce and a heckler at Penn State University drew national attention after a viral video captured the incident.
According to Daily Wire, Penn State police have officially closed their investigation into the incident where Kelce was seen throwing a heckler's phone to the ground, clearing the former Philadelphia Eagles player of any wrongdoing.
The incident occurred during Kelce's attendance at the Ohio State-Penn State college football game, where he was making an appearance for ESPN's College Gameday.
The confrontation escalated after a male college student-directed homophobic slurs at Kelce's brother, Travis, regarding his relationship with Taylor Swift.
Multiple videos captured the heated exchange outside Penn State's Beaver Stadium. The footage shows a male student approaching Kelce while recording with his phone, making derogatory comments about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's relationship. The situation quickly escalated when Kelce responded by grabbing the phone.
The confrontation didn't end with the phone incident. Additional footage revealed the heckler physically shoving Kelce to the ground after he attempted to retrieve the dropped phone. The former NFL player then stood up and confronted the heckler before walking away to attend the game.
Penn State police released a statement addressing the investigation's conclusion. They noted that no individuals had come forward with complaints about property damage, and the person in the circulating video remained unidentified.
Following the incident, Kelce publicly expressed regret about his response to the situation. In a statement on his show, he acknowledged his actions weren't appropriate. Here's what Kelce said:
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.
The former Eagles star further reflected on the incident, emphasizing his commitment to living by the golden rule despite falling short in this instance:
I really don't. I don't think that it leads to discourse and it's the right way to go about things. In that moment I fell down to a level that I shouldn't have. So, bottom line is, I try to live my life by the golden rule. That's what I've always been taught ... even though I fell short this week.
The investigation's conclusion marks the end of a controversial chapter for Kelce, who retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024. He currently maintains a successful career in sports media, co-hosting the "New Heights" podcast with his brother Travis and working as an ESPN commentator.
The incident highlighted the challenges public figures face when confronted with hostile interactions. Despite the provocative nature of the encounter, Penn State officials found no grounds for further action, effectively clearing Kelce of any legal consequences.
Jason Kelce's confrontation with a heckler at Penn State University has reached its conclusion with police clearing him of any wrongdoing. The incident, which occurred outside Penn State's Beaver Stadium during an ESPN College Gameday appearance, involved a hostile exchange with a student who made derogatory comments about Kelce's brother.
While the former NFL star expressed remorse for his reaction to the provocation, Penn State police found no basis for further investigation, noting that no complaints were filed regarding property damage. The case's resolution allows Kelce to continue focusing on his post-NFL career in sports media without legal complications.
