Jason Kelce, former center for the Philadelphia Eagles, has issued an apology after facing backlash for suggesting that legendary racehorse Secretariat used steroids during his Triple Crown victory.
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has retracted his controversial claim that iconic racehorse Secretariat was on steroids when he became the ninth Triple Crown winner in history. Kelce made the allegation during the May 8 episode of the "New Heights" podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Travis Kelce.
Citing Secretariat's exceptional speed and muscular stature, Kelce asserted that the horse was "juiced to the gills." He further suggested that the prevalence of steroids in the racing industry during that era raised concerns.
Kelce's comments swiftly ignited backlash from horse racing enthusiasts and animal rights advocates. Many criticized him for making baseless accusations without presenting concrete evidence.
In response to the criticism, Kelce took to social media to apologize for his remarks. He admitted that it was inappropriate to make such assumptions publicly without proof.
"I'm sorry everyone, wasn't trying to get people riled up," Kelce wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I really thought it was just known that in the 70s steroid use was rampant."
Kelce acknowledged that his comments were unfair to Secretariat and his legacy. He emphasized that the horse's accomplishments should not be diminished by mere speculation.
To illustrate his point, Kelce cited the example of former Major League Baseball slugger Barry Bonds, who was linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Kelce argued that Bonds remains the greatest hitter of all time, despite his alleged steroid use.
"We all know Bonds Juiced, he's still the greatest hitter of all time in my opinion," Kelce wrote. "He also did it against a large amount of players who were also juiced."
Bonds was indicted and convicted on charges related to obstruction of justice and perjury stemming from his testimony about steroid use. However, the perjury convictions were later overturned on appeal.
Despite Kelce's apology, the controversy surrounding his initial comments has cast a shadow over the legacy of Secretariat, one of the most revered racehorses in history.
