Kaylah Walton
In a sphere where people online frequently critique everything, Kylie Kelce, partner of the newly retired NFL star Jason Kelce, along with podcaster Drew Afualo, has voiced their frustration regarding constant criticism of NFL kickers. With her quick humor and straightforwardness, Kylie collaborated with Afualo in the recent episode of the podcast Not Gonna Lie, passionately addressing the dismissive remarks targeting kickers in football.
Afualo introduced her key principle of sports discussion: those who haven’t played the game shouldn’t criticize. “Unless I see you play for at least an hour, you have no right to comment,” she stated. Kylie, drawing from her own experience as a former hockey player, condemned the constant mockery directed at NFL kickers. “I’d like to see all the naysayers attempt it themselves,” she joked.
Kylie’s message strikes a chord in a league where kickers endure disproportionate backlash for missed field goals or extra points, despite facing significant pressure during critical moments. She expanded her critique to other sports, such as rugby, where spectators often overlook the tough physical nature. “I’d challenge you to play rugby for just 30 seconds and see how it feels,” she humorously remarked. Simultaneously, Afualo popularized the phrase “Get on the field, b**ch,” as a challenge to critics of women’s sports and specialized roles within football.
Jason Kelce’s Comedic Conversion
In a twist of irony, Jason Kelce previously criticized kickers on his podcast, New Heights, proposing that changing to rugby-style goalposts would make kicking more challenging. He expressed, “Kickers shouldn’t have such a big impact on football games.” However, in November, he found himself on the other side of the fence when he joined a field goal challenge at Penn State’s Pat McAfee Kicking Contest. This event aimed to gather funds for hurricane relief, yet Jason humorously missed twice, unable to secure the donations.
Kylie, known for her playful banter, wasted no time to poke fun at her spouse. “Perhaps tight pants would’ve helped?” she quipped on Instagram, drawing laughter from followers who enjoyed the role reversal. Regardless of Jason’s performance, the event still managed to collect funds thanks to McAfee’s support.
The partnership of Kelce and Afualo resonates with fans and athletes, shedding light on the unwarranted criticism often directed at sports specialists. Although Jason’s kicking blunders provided entertainment, Kylie and Afualo emphasize a bigger message: Respect the sport, or step up and demonstrate your skills.
