Photo courtesy: Jason Kelce
Former NFL centre Jason Kelce is defending himself from allegations of anti-Canadian sentiment by leaning on his CFL connection.
The 38-year-old former Super Bowl champion came under fire this week after discussing the World Series on his popular New Heights podcast. Jason pushed back against his brother, Travis, when he asserted that the series was wildly entertaining, saying, “You’re telling me I’m supposed to get excited about a Canadian baseball team and a team that just spends more money than anybody else? Who the f*** cares about either?”
Those comments were interpreted as a shot at the true north, strong and free, by some, including Sportsnet reporter Hazel Mae. However, Kelce took to X to defend himself, saying the whole segment had been misconstrued.
“Guys, I love Canada, I have been bamboozled by our social team that failed to show the whole story. How could I not love poutine, maple syrup, and beavers!!,” he wrote. “I was actually rooting for the Blue Jays in a World Series that I didn’t care about. Seriously, Canada is the best, I was just talking sh** about not being personally invested of caring that the team that spent the most money and built a super team won the World Series. That’s it. I am a known Canada advocate and Ice Hockey lover.”
The long-time Philadelphia Eagle dove back into the comments to further defend his feelings about Canada when asked about the Manitoba capital.
“Winnipeg has a wonderful QB for their CFL team. Handsome, smart, funny, and talented,” he added.
Kelce is famously close friends with Blue Bombers’ quarterback Zach Collaros, with whom he was roommates when the two played together at the University of Cincinnati. The six-time All-Pro has attended at least one CFL game in person to support his friend back in 2019, and has occasionally discussed Canadian football on his podcast, even advocating for the NFL to adopt CFL-style motion.
Co-host Travis, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and fiancée of superstar musician Taylor Swift, donned Bombers gear on the podcast last year after receiving a care package from Collaros. Jason, in typical fashion, misplaced his, but found it in time for the 111th Grey Cup, posting a picture of himself and his kids decked out in blue and gold prior to kickoff.
That genuine appreciation for three-down football should heal some of the wounds suffered by Blue Jays fans, who are still reeling after a devastating Game 7 loss to the L.A. Dodgers last Saturday. More than 18.5 million Canadians watched at least part of that game, with an average viewership of 10.9 million. That is second only to the 2010 Winter Olympics as the most-watched television event in the country’s history.