Jason and Travis Kelce weighed in on Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper throwing a drink at Jacksonville Jaguars fans on Sunday.
The billionaire hedge fund manager was slapped with a $300,000 fine from the NFL on Tuesday after he tossed a drink at celebrating Jaguars fans during the Panthers’ New Year’s Eve loss.
Carolina was shutout by Jacksonville slipped to league-worst 2-14 and a visibly frustrated Tepper was caught losing his cool in a box at the Jaguars’ stadium.
The Kelce brothers slammed the owner’s actions, branding it ‘disrespectful’ on their New Heights podcast.
‘Throwing a drink, or spitting on someone… I’d rather you just punch me in the face,’ said Jason.
Jason Kelce (left) branded Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper (right) ‘disrespectful’
A furious Tepper appeared to have thrown a drink at Jaguars fan out of anger on Sunday
‘That is so much more disrespectful to somebody. Do you think that’s accurate? There’s an air of “I’m better than you” in that toss, is that fair to say?’
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis agreed, adding: ‘I think you’re on to something, I’m with you on this. It’s almost like, “F*** you, I’m higher up than you.”‘
The Philadelphia Eagles center then claimed that being punched was preferable to having a drink poured over him.
‘I’d rather you just punched me in the face,’ he added. ‘Let’s just settle it, I don’t need the disrespect.
‘Punching me in the face out of anger is not disrespectful, throwing a drink on me or spitting on me is disrespectful. I’ve been punched in the face before, I can handle that.’
Footage of Tepper in a box at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium on Sunday went viral on X, showing the billionaire hedge fund manager losing his cool with his team drawing a blank for the second time this year. He then stormed away in disgust.
A Jaguars fan can then be seen turning around and climbing toward the opening of the suite after Tepper poured his drink into the crowd.
‘When the @panthers owner throws a drink on @jaguars fans!!!,’ read the caption to the video, which initially shared as an Instagram story by a Jags’ fan.
The billionaire hedge fund manager watched from a box as Carolina slipped to 2-14
An NFL statement on Tuesday night read: ‘All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL.’
The Panthers then issued a statement from Tepper, which read: ‘I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday.
‘I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose. I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.’
Tepper’s reaction came after rookie Bryce Young was intercepted with less than three minutes to play. It was unclear whether Tepper was reacting to something said to him or the latest miscue for the team with the NFL’s worst record.
The Panthers (2-14) dropped to 0-9 on the road and were shut out for the first time since losing to Atlanta in Week 12 in 2002. They also clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in April — a selection that will go to Chicago by virtue of a 2022 trade.
The 66-year-old bought the Panthers from original owner and founder Jerry Richardson back in July 2018, and was forced to sell his five per cent stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers in the process.
Tepper’s reaction came after Bryce Young was intercepted with less than three minutes to play
Since buying the Panthers in 2018, they have compiled a 30-63 record and six head coaches in that span.
Tepper has been described as one of the league’s worst owners, with the Panthers going into a downturn since his ownership began.
He stopped building a practice facility for the team in Rock Hill, S.C., after claiming that the city didn’t hold up the end of their deal, had his real estate arm declare bankruptcy over the failed project and was forced to demolish the half-built facility.
Tepper is also the owner of MLS team Charlotte FC, which was awarded to him in 2019, after talks of a proposal to bring soccer to the Carolinas. He reportedly paid $325M in expansion fees for the franchise, setting an MLS record.
