Current:Home > ContactPenn State Police investigating viral Jason Kelce incident with fan -Capitatum
Penn State Police investigating viral Jason Kelce incident with fan
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-06 07:12:48
Penn State University Police and Public Safety is investigating the incident involving Jason Kelce that saw the former NFL star throw a heckler's phone onto the ground after the person said a homophobic slur to Kelce in referring to his brother.
Penn State Police spokesperson Jacqueline Sheader confirmed the investigation to USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday afternoon and added the process is ongoing.
The incident, which took place just outside Beaver Stadium on Saturday as Penn State hosted Ohio State, was reported by university police. According to the police department's daily crime log, an "officer observed a visitor damaging personal property" outside of the stadium. The offenses were criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Social media footage showed Kelce walking through a crowd while several people acknowledged him and asked for selfies. However, one person hurled anti-LGTBQ slurs toward Kelce about his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
"Hey Kelce! How does it feel your brother is a (expletive) for dating Taylor Swift?" the person shouted.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Kelce turned around, grabbed the person's phone and spiked it into the ground before picking up the phone and continuing to walk. Another video shared on social media showed the fan chasing Kelce and saying "give me my phone." Kelce then appeared to say the same slur back toward the person.
The former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center and current ESPN analyst apologized for his role in the incident prior to the Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Monday night. He said he "fell down to a level that I shouldn't have."
"Everybody's seen on social media everything that took place this week," Kelce said. "Listen, I'm not happy with anything that took place. I'm not proud of it. In a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don't think that that's a productive thing."
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (169)
Related
- Eva Mendes Shares Message of Gratitude to Olympics for Keeping Her and Ryan Gosling's Kids Private
- Michael Oher, Tuohy family at odds over legal petition, 'Blind Side' money: What we know
- 'Welcome to Wrexham' Season 2: Release date, trailer, how to watch
- Canadian woman sentenced to nearly 22 years for sending ricin letter to Trump
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Hairy ears of male mosquitoes help them find the ladies. Can we disrupt their hearing?
- Rhiannon Giddens is as much scholar as musician. Now, she’s showing her saucy side in a new album
- Eagles' Tyrie Cleveland, Moro Ojomo carted off field after suffering neck injuries
- 2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
- Patrick and Brittany Mahomes’ 8-Month-Old Son Bronze Rushed to Hospital After Allergic Reaction
Ranking
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Iran’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince as tensions between rivals ease
- Hate machine: Social media platforms pushing antisemitic recommendations, study finds
- New York governor blocks discharge of radioactive water into Hudson River from closed nuclear plant
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Kellie Pickler speaks out for first time since husband's death: 'Darkest time in my life'
- Charlize Theron Has the Best Response to Rumors She’s Gotten Plastic Surgery
- Gun control unlikely in GOP-led special session following Tennessee school shooting
Recommendation
'Most Whopper
Maryland reports locally acquired malaria case for first time in more than 40 years
Rhiannon Giddens is as much scholar as musician. Now, she’s showing her saucy side in a new album
Selena Gomez Is Taking a Wrecking Ball to Any Miley Cyrus Feud Rumors
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Blue Shield of California opts for Amazon, Mark Cuban drug company in switchup
Evacuation ordered after gas plant explosion; no injuries reported
Gun control unlikely in GOP-led special session following Tennessee school shooting