Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce took some criticism on social media this week for a video that showed him chugging a beer and spiking the can to the ground like a football after receiving his diploma from the University of Cincinnati. But his brother Jason Kelce was quick to defend Travis and offer a bit of context to the event.
Over the weekend, Jason Kelce replied to a fan asking him to “please question your brother for the graduation antics” by defending Travis and explaining that the event actually wasn’t a real graduation ceremony.
“I know it looks like a graduation from the video, but this was actually at the end of a New Heights Live podcast that we put on to raise money for the University’s NIL. The university did this to poke fun at my brother and I for never really picking up our diplomas,” said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
I know it looks like a graduation from the video, but this was actually at the end of a New Heights Live podcast that we put on to raise money for the University’s NIL. The university did this to poke fun at my brother and I for never really picking up our diplomas. https://t.co/enl4C0a0bE
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) April 13, 2024
This explanation from Jason Kelce certainly led to a lot of reactions on social media.
i’m crying people were in the quotes saying travis ruined graduation for so many people and it wasn’t even a real ceremony https://t.co/sMdZ4I2Bws
— lil (@folklilmore) April 13, 2024
the fact that he even had to address this is insane. if you actually found a problem with what jason and travis did during their live show (that is meant to entertain fans), i urge you to go for a long walk outside https://t.co/cWMd9daGrZ
— bethany ♡ tortured poet 🪶 (@corneliastagain) April 13, 2024
In case the haters out there want to actually contribute to the world… the event in question provided proceeds and awareness to @CincyReigns which was founded with the goal of using the Name, Image, and Likeness of University of Cincinnati student-athletes to help promote… https://t.co/Kq7f5LkQ9m
— Swifties Giving Back 😻 (@SwiftiesGiving) April 13, 2024
People really thought this was an actual graduation ceremony? https://t.co/NgbtPUg8Pd
— Kelly ⸆⸉ (NOLA N2) (@KellsChronicles) April 13, 2024
I understand why you addressed this, but people are ridiculous. https://t.co/cvGgwL1yvW
— Organ Magic (@Notre_Josh) April 13, 2024
He shouldn’t even have to explain himself. Yall people are disgusting, let these two have fun. They deserve it https://t.co/h4e4k2gD8M
— Ainsley (@Ainsleyk15) April 13, 2024
It’s pretty clear that the Kelce brothers intended no harm by the fake graduation ceremony. In fact, it was all for charity.