Jason Kelce Addresses Backlash Over His Comments About the World Series by Taking a Page Out of Prince Harry’s Playbook

Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce is setting the record straight after finding himself at the center of a social media firestorm over comments he made about this year’s World Series. The former NFL star, known for his larger-than-life personality and unfiltered honesty, says his words were taken out of context and insists he meant no disrespect to baseball fans or the players who competed on the sport’s biggest stage.

The controversy began earlier this week when Kelce appeared on an episode of the New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. During a casual conversation about sports fandom, Jason made an offhand remark suggesting that the World Series “just doesn’t have the same energy or national excitement it used to.” He went on to compare the MLB championship to events like the Super Bowl and March Madness, saying, “It feels like fewer people are tuning in these days — maybe baseball needs to find a way to bring that spark back.”

Almost immediately, clips of the exchange spread across social media, with some fans accusing Kelce of being dismissive toward America’s pastime. Critics argued that his comments downplayed the passion of baseball fans and disrespected the legacy of a sport that has been part of the country’s cultural fabric for more than a century. Others took issue with what they saw as a football player’s arrogance in commenting on another league’s popularity.

By Thursday morning, the backlash had grown large enough that Kelce decided to address the situation directly. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “I’ve got nothing but respect for the game of baseball and the players who grind it out 162 games a year. My comments weren’t meant to put anyone down — I was just talking about how sports fandom has changed over time. If that came across the wrong way, that’s on me.”

He followed up with a longer message during a media appearance later in the day, explaining that his observation was more about the shifting landscape of sports culture than baseball itself. “When I was a kid,” Kelce said, “the World Series felt like everything stopped for it. Nowadays, with streaming, social media, and so many entertainment options, it feels like people’s attention is more divided. That’s not baseball’s fault — that’s just how the world has changed.”

Many fans appreciated his clarification, noting that Kelce has long been one of the most genuine and down-to-earth figures in professional sports. Even so, others continued to express disappointment, arguing that the former Eagles center should have chosen his words more carefully given his massive platform.

Several prominent baseball figures also chimed in. A few current players defended Kelce, saying that while his tone might have ruffled feathers, his observation about declining national interest wasn’t wrong. “He’s not lying,” one MLB veteran commented anonymously. “We’ve been talking about ways to make the game more exciting for younger fans for years.” Others, however, felt the comments were poorly timed, coming just days after what many called a thrilling and competitive World Series.

Despite the uproar, Kelce appeared to take the criticism in stride. Known for his candor and sense of humor, he even joked on New Heights’ social media page that he’d “stick to talking about football and beer for a while.” Fans familiar with his personality know that Kelce has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and his willingness to address the backlash head-on only reinforced his reputation as a straight shooter.

In the end, the incident seems unlikely to do lasting damage to Kelce’s image. Since retiring from the NFL earlier this year, he has seamlessly transitioned into a successful media career, and his podcast remains one of the most popular sports shows in the country. Still, the episode served as a reminder of how quickly a casual remark can spiral in the age of social media — and how even the most beloved figures can find themselves in hot water over a few misunderstood sentences.

As the dust settles, Jason Kelce’s message is clear: he loves sports, respects athletes in every field, and believes that open conversations about fan engagement are important. “At the end of the day,” he said, “we all want the same thing — to see the games we love thrive for generations to come.”