Jason Kelce found himself at the center of a viral confrontation over the weekend while attending the Ohio State-Penn State game in State College. The acclaimed podcaster and ESPN commentator was walking down the street when he was verbally attacked from behind by an individual who directed a homophobic slur at him. In response, Kelce turned around, grabbed the person’s phone, and threw it to the ground in frustration.
The entire incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking discussions across social media. On Monday night, Kelce offered a sincere apology before resuming his role on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.” He admitted that he was not proud of how he handled the situation, expressing regret for reacting in a way that did not align with his values.
The internet, however, was largely on Kelce’s side, with many people understanding the emotional response to being harassed. The incident became a prime example of the type of celebrity moment that attracts a million different takes, but in this case, the overwhelming sentiment was supportive of Kelce and critical of the heckler’s actions.
Chris Long, a former NFL player and current podcast host, weighed in on the situation during an appearance on Kevin Clark’s podcast “This Is Football.” Long’s comments provided an insightful perspective on how internet culture plays a role in moments like these.
“I think everything’s about clout now in the world,” Long said. “Period. It’s hard, even as a media member, not to fall into these traps. Everybody is chasing clout. It’s the quickest way I can get my five minutes of fame. That guy getting the phone smacked out of his hand—if it weren’t for the fact that it seems like the whole internet turned on this guy … Nowadays, a kid who gets smacked in the face might say, ‘Hey, look what I got done, I got smacked in the face by Jason Kelce.'”
Long went on to elaborate on how internet culture has changed the way people behave in real life. “The internet culture has ruined real life, and there’s too many people who grew up in situations where they never got punched in the face,” Long continued. “And I’m not saying that’s a prerequisite to being an adult, but I’m pretty sure that guy never got punched in the face.”
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Long’s point was clear: the pursuit of internet fame has led people to behave in ways that they might not otherwise, seeking out negative attention simply for the chance to go viral.
He highlighted the fact that, in the end, the individual who harassed Kelce ended up losing his phone and facing widespread backlash online. It was a stark reminder that actions have consequences, and that trying to provoke a reaction from a public figure can sometimes backfire.
Long also touched on how the incident has sparked a conversation about boundaries and respect. “Getting punched in the face or having your phone destroyed for content still means you got smacked in the face or you have to visit the phone store.
And both of those things aren’t very fun,” he added. The reality of such situations is that while they might bring fleeting internet fame, they also bring real-world consequences that are far less enjoyable.
If there is any silver lining to the entire ordeal, it’s that it seems most people agree on where the line is—and that it was clearly crossed.
The support for Kelce and the general condemnation of the heckler’s behavior indicates a shared understanding that harassment, even for the sake of online content, is unacceptable. It’s a small victory, but an important one, as people collectively recognize the importance of respect, both online and in real life.
Kelce, for his part, has expressed his regret and appears to be moving forward, using the experience as a reminder to stay true to his values, even in challenging situations.
Meanwhile, Chris Long’s commentary serves as a reminder of the negative impact that internet culture can have on real-life interactions and the importance of setting boundaries in an increasingly connected world.
