Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – In the aftermath of the chaotic late-game brawl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, the controversy has only intensified. At the center of it all is offensive lineman Tyler Steen, who was ejected despite video evidence showing him surrounded and struck by multiple Commanders players. Now, one of the most respected voices in franchise history has stepped forward — and he’s furious.
Jason Kelce, the Eagles’ legendary center and emotional leader for more than a decade, publicly condemned the officials’ handling of the situation, calling the decision to eject Steen unjustifiable and urging the NFL to review the entire officiating crew. Kelce also pushed for postgame discipline against every Commanders player who participated in what he described as a “brutal gang-up.”
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The incident unfolded late in the fourth quarter after tensions boiled over in a lopsided game. What began as post-play shoving escalated rapidly into a full-on brawl. Broadcast footage shows Steen quickly engulfed by several Washington players, with arms swinging and bodies piling in. Despite appearing to be on the receiving end of most of the blows, Steen was one of the players ejected.
To Kelce — and many around the league — that outcome defies common sense.
NFL rules allow officials to eject any player who participates in a fight, regardless of who initiated contact. But the issue here, Kelce argues, isn’t the letter of the rule — it’s selective enforcement. While Steen was penalized, multiple Commanders players who clearly threw punches or joined late with force avoided comparable consequences during the game.
“This is about consistency,” Kelce emphasized. “If the league is serious about player safety, it can’t ignore obvious escalation just because the situation is chaotic.”
Kelce’s frustration resonates beyond Philadelphia. Former players and analysts have echoed the concern, noting that failure to address disproportionate punishment sets a dangerous precedent. When a player is visibly outnumbered and absorbing contact, punishing him without equal accountability for aggressors undermines both fairness and safety.
Kelce went further, calling on the NFL to issue supplemental discipline after reviewing the tape — a move the league has taken in similar situations in the past. He believes accountability shouldn’t stop at the final whistle.
In a forceful statement that captured his anger and conviction, Kelce didn’t mince words:
“When one guy is trapped in the middle, getting hit from every direction, and somehow he’s the one punished, that’s not justice. If we accept that, we’re telling players they’re on their own when things get ugly — and that’s unacceptable.”
As the league reviews Week 16 incidents, pressure is mounting for the NFL to respond. Whether through fines, suspensions, or an internal evaluation of the officiating crew, the handling of this brawl is now under scrutiny.
For Jason Kelce, this isn’t about defending one player — it’s about defending the integrity of the game. And he’s made it clear: silence, this time, is not an option.
