Jason Kelce found himself in a heated situation earlier this week.
As the retired NFL star, 37, was getting in a car to leave Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, Nov. 21, a group of people gathered on the other side of a fence watched on, hoping to grab an autograph, footage obtained by TMZ Sports shows.
After Kelce chose not to engage with the group, they were upset, and one man who was extremely adamant about snagging a signature began hurling insults at Kelce as he climbed into his car.
The man yelled several expletives at the New Heights host, and attempted to guilt him into coming over. He also told the former footballer that he “ain’t nobody special” and is “being a d—” for declining the group’s request, the footage shows.
Jason Kelce.
Mitchell Leff/Getty
Kelce, who appeared to be surrounded by security, responded to the man’s insults, saying that he’s “not trying to be a d—” as the man fired back: “I don’t care — it’s not the autograph, it’s the attitude.”
The retired athlete elaborated further, telling the fans that he doesn’t sign autographs for people who “follow” where he travels. The man responded, “We’re not following you. We get every guest that comes here,” as another member of the group chimed in, saying, “This is public information!”
The man continued to berate and swear at Kelce, telling him he’s “nothing” and comparing the former NFL star to other Jimmy Kimmel Live! guests the group has gotten autographs from. “Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford have the time, but you don’t?” he told Kelce. “F— you.”
The podcast host then changed his mind about interacting with the group, emerging from the car and beginning to sign autographs, the video shows. “I’m not trying to be rude,” he told the group. “I’m not trying to be mean.”
Kelce was cut off, but one fan did chime in to defend him, saying, “Jason, you’re nice, I swear!”
The man who had been yelling at Kelce for the past few minutes, meanwhile, switched to an apologetic, complimentary demeanor, and appeared to be embarrassed by his actions. “Do not put that on the f—ing internet,” he said before admitting that he’s “ashamed of that moment.”
The man also said he apologizes, telling Kelce “I have love for you,” as the star reciprocated. “I have love for you, okay,” the retired athlete said. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything about it, I promise.”
Kelce also appeared to shake hands with the man, and signed an autograph for him.
The former Philadelphia Eagles center had been on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to announce his upcoming ESPN series, a late night show that kicks off on Jan. 3.
The Nov. 21 news was followed by another big announcement for Kelce: he and wife Kylie are expecting their fourth daughter together.
The couple shared the news on Instagram on Friday, Nov. 22 alongside a picture of their three daughters — Wyatt, 5, Elliotte, 3, and Bennett, 21 months — reacting to the announcement with a variety of emotions.
“I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister,” a pregnant Kylie, 32, wrote in the caption. “At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page! 🤷♀️.”
