Jason Kelce, the retired NFL star and Philadelphia Eagles legend, found himself at the center of another fan altercation Thursday night, this time involving a fiery autograph seeker outside Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles. The incident, captured on video by TMZ, saw the usually composed Kelce face a barrage of expletives and insults as he exited the studio.
The confrontation began when Kelce declined to sign an autograph for a man waiting outside the studio. The fan immediately launched into a tirade, hurling insults such as, “You ain’t nobody special! You’re some s*** bag, f***ing guy that thinks he’s on some pedestal!” The verbal abuse escalated, culminating in a bizarre challenge to Kelce’s character and even a boast about running the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Initially attempting to reason with the man, Kelce explained his reluctance: “I have a habit of not signing for people that follow where I’m going.” However, the fan refused to relent, and tensions rose further when he appeared to challenge Kelce to a physical fight.
Despite the aggressive behavior, Kelce ultimately approached the group of fans waiting for autographs and began signing items, including for the irate man. Ever the professional, Kelce shook the man’s hand, effectively diffusing the situation. The man later apologized, admitting he was “ashamed” of his behavior, even pleading for the video not to be shared online.
Kelce, demonstrating remarkable patience and composure, reassured him: “You’re good, bro.”
This isn’t the first time Jason Kelce has faced confrontational fans in recent weeks. Earlier this month, he was embroiled in a more volatile incident during ESPN’s College GameDay at Penn State. After a fan hurled a homophobic slur targeting his brother, Travis Kelce, and Travis’ girlfriend, Taylor Swift, Jason grabbed the fan’s phone and smashed it to the ground, following up with a pointed remark: “Who is the f***** now?”
Kelce later apologized for the incident on Monday Night Countdown, acknowledging that his reaction fell short of his own standards. “In a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don’t think that’s a productive thing,” he said. “I’m not proud of it. I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have.”
Jason Kelce’s profile has surged over the past year, largely due to his brother Travis Kelce’s high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift. The attention has brought both praise and scrutiny, with fans of the couple rallying behind Jason during these recent incidents.
A source close to the Kelce brothers told the Daily Mail that Jason’s response to the Penn State incident stemmed from a deep sense of family loyalty. “Jason will never stand for anyone insulting his family, and he views Taylor as family now,” the source said.
