Former NFL center and podcaster Jason Kelce expressed his affection for Canada in a recent post on X, following backlash over remarks he made about the World Series.
### Why It Matters
A clip from Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast, in which Jason Kelce questioned the excitement surrounding the World Series matchup, drew negative reactions online. In the clip, Jason said he was not personally invested in the matchup and questioned the hype around a Canadian baseball team facing a club with one of the league’s largest payrolls.
### What To Know
While Travis Kelce described the World Series as an “awesome seven games of baseball,” Jason Kelce downplayed the enthusiasm, stating, “You’re telling me I’m supposed to get excited about a Canadian baseball team and a team that spends more money than everybody else? Who the f*** cares about either?”
At the time of writing, the video clip had been viewed 1.3 million times on X. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead Major League Baseball in payroll, with the Toronto Blue Jays ranking fifth out of 30 teams.
Jason’s comments sparked an online backlash, with many perceiving his remarks as dismissive. This prompted him to clarify his position.
### Public Reaction
In response to the clip, fans expressed disappointment and frustration:
– One fan wrote, “What Jason Kelce said about baseball really rubbed me the wrong way. Not just about the Dodgers, but about the Blue Jays. Both teams fought till the end and did an amazing job. Both put in the work.”
– Another user commented, “Wow. What a disappointing comment.”
– One post read, “I loved Jason Kelce until he trolled the Blue Jays. Why you gotta be that way?!”
– Another disappointed fan shared, “I rather enjoyed Jason Kelce in general. Until now. Come on dude, really? Our Blue Jays played with heart.”
### Jason Kelce’s Response
In a follow-up post, Jason Kelce said he had been “bamboozled” by the social media team that shared the clip without full context. He offered a lighthearted defense of Canada, highlighting cultural staples such as poutine and maple syrup.
He also clarified that he had been “actually rooting for the Blue Jays” and described himself as a “known Canada advocate and ice hockey lover.”
The comments originally came from a discussion on New Heights where Jason expressed frustration about predictable outcomes in championship series when teams with greater spending power dominate. However, that specific portion of the episode was clipped and circulated on social platforms, leading some Blue Jays fans and viewers to interpret his remarks as dismissive of the team’s achievements.
### Additional Context
This incident follows a related controversy involving Prince Harry, who apologized to Canada after wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat while attending Game 4 of the World Series against the Blue Jays. He joked that he wore the hat “under duress” and out of politeness after being invited by the Dodgers’ owner. His choice sparked criticism in Canada for not showing support for the country’s only MLB team, despite King Charles III being Canada’s head of state.
### What People Are Saying
The conversation around the World Series and Canadian representation continues to evoke strong opinions from fans and public figures alike, highlighting the passion and pride associated with sports teams and national identity.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/jason-kelce-says-he-loves-canada-after-backlash-over-blue-jays-comment-11017596
