Jason Kelce defends brother Travis after viral graduation video split opinion

Travis Kelce has been criticised for chugging a beer before picking up his diploma at a commencement ceremony, but brother Jason has now explained the situation

Jason Kelce has come to the defence of his brother Travis after a video that divided opinions went viral. The footage showed Travis downing a beer before collecting his diploma at a graduation ceremony at the University of Cincinnati.

Travis, 34, was a student at the university from 2008 to 2012, having redshirted his first year and spent the 2010 season suspended for violating team rules by testing positive for marijuana. Jason, now 36, also attended the same university, turning professional at the end of his tenure there in 2006 after initially redshirting.

During his time at the university, he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing but did not attend the graduation ceremony. Similarly, Travis didn’t attend his graduation as he only completed his remaining credits in interdisciplinary studies in 2022.

The university decided to rectify this on Thursday with a surprise graduation ceremony at the Fifth Third Arena on campus. Jason received his diploma first on stage, but the video from the event shows Travis chugging a beer can and then tossing it on the floor before picking up his diploma and posing for pictures.

The clips have since gone viral, with Travis facing significant backlash for his behaviour. One social media user specifically called on Jason to address the issue with his brother. A user took to X platform, posting: “Please question your brother for the graduation antics? ” The post began by referencing Jason and continued: “Doing what you did at a playoff game in Buffalo is one thing but doing that at the college where he got kicked off the team for acting like a jacka** probably wasn’t the best idea.”

Having picked up on this, Jason came forward with an explanation. “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,” he said. “The university did this to poke fun at my brother and I for never really picking up our diplomas.”

Backing up Jason’s comment, the University of Cincinnati Athletics posted on Thursday. Attached to four images of the brothers on stage was the caption: “A surprise commencement we’ll never forget. Congratulations to Travis and Jason on (finally) picking up those diplomas! “.

Jason also shared heartfelt thoughts on the experience prior to the event. “Travis and I are both incredibly honored and it’s crazy that we’re being put in positions to stuff like this,” he confided to reporters.

“But anytime we come back, there’s such a way of emotion and memories that really hit you, especially walking into this room. You spend so much time here, and as a student-athlete, you’re invested in the football program, the university. You’re here non-stop, and it’s such a big part of anybody’s career or life that whenever you come back, it definitely hits you full force.”