Barstool Sports tycoon Dave Portnoy has asserted that Jason Kelce’s reaction was “deserved” after he smashed a fan’s phone. The retired NFL icon has since issued an apology.

The ex-Philadelphia Eagles center was involved in a heated exchange outside Beaver Stadium in Pennsylvania, with footage of the incident sparking major reaction on social media. The fan is purported to have used homophobic language in relation to Kelce’s brother Travis.

Irked by the remarks, the one-time Super Bowl victor reacted angrily, throwing the individual’s handset onto the floor as tensions boiled over. Now, sports media businessman Portnoy has waded into the debate over Kelce’s reaction as he admitted he felt his actions were warranted.

The former Eagles stalwart repeated the homophobic slur used by the fan during the exchange, with Portnoy conceding that this was misguided. Giving his verdict on the incident on Twitter/X, he said: “The only thing Kelce should have apologized for is maybe using the F word.

“But anybody with a brain knows he was just repeating what was said to him. If he called him a […], […], […] that woulda been the word he used,” he continued, as he defended Kelce. “Golden rule was applied perfectly. He treated that guy exactly how he deserved to be treated.

Addressing the fallout from the altercation, Kelce issued an emotional apology during his ‘Monday Night Football’ appearance. Speaking before the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he said: “I’m not happy with anything that took place.

Former professional football player and ESPN broadcaster Jason Kelce has issued an apology after the incident

Former professional football player and ESPN broadcaster Jason Kelce has issued an apology after the incident ( 

Image:

Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“I’m not proud of it. And in a heated moment, I chose to greet hate with hate, and I just don’t think that’s a productive thing. I really don’t. I don’t think it leads to discourse, and [don’t think] it’s the right way to go about things.”

He added: “In that moment, I fell down to a level that I shouldn’t have. So I think bottom line is, I try to live my life by the golden rule. It’s what I’ve always been taught. I try to treat people with common decency and respect, even though I fell short this week. I’m going to do that moving forward and continue to do that.”

Prior to his trip to Beaver Stadium, Kelcehad expressed his excitement, saying on “New Heights”: “I’m officially going to Happy Valley, up to Penn State this week to try and kick. I’ve never been. I’ve never been to Penn State, Happy Valley. I’ve gone fly fishing in the area, but I’ve never been to State College, so I’m excited about this. I’m going to have to toe it.

“You can’t do a soccer-style kick with [Timberlands] on. You’re not getting the proper ankle flexion, so I’m going to have to go Lou Groza. I’m going to have to toe it … The chance this thing goes straight is minimal.”