Former NFL offensive lineman Jason Kelce is being the bigger man.
Kelce apologized for smashing the phone of a heckling fan who used a homophobic slur to describe his brother, Travis Kelce.
“I’m not happy with anything that took place. I’m not proud of it,” the former Philadelphia Eagles center said during ESPN’s pregame coverage of “Monday Night Football” in Kansas City.
“In a heated moment, I decided to greet hate with hate, and I just don’t think that’s a productive thing.”
The incident occurred Saturday near Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. As a crowd surrounded a walking Kelce, the fan used the slur in reference to his brother dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, according to footage shared on social media.
Kelce then grabbed and threw the fan’s phone. In a separate video, Kelce appeared to repeat the slur.
“In that moment, I fell down to a moment I shouldn’t have,” Kelce said Monday.
Kelce, 37, retired from the NFL in March after 13 seasons, all with the Eagles. The six-time All-Pro center now serves as a football analyst on ESPN.
He also hosts the wildly popular “New Heights” podcast with Travis Kelce, who is in his 11th NFL season, all with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Travis Kelce, 35, caught 14 passes on 16 targets for 100 yards in the Chiefs’ 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday with his brother in the building.
The tight end began dating Swift last year, and she has frequently attended Chiefs games since, including Monday’s game. Last month, Kelce and Swift attended the Yankees’ ALCS Game 1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the Bronx.