Kelce, Mathis defend asking fans to remove sign
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Kelce, Mathis defend asking fans to remove sign
Jonathan Tamari
Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce, caught up in a storm of radio and internet criticism today after asking fans to take down a sign calling for Andy Reid's head, defended their actions today.
Each said that fans are free to express their opinions, but that they did not want to see such sentiments "on our front yard" outside the NovaCare Complex.
Some background: on Monday the two came to the team facility to watch film and lift. On their way out in Kelce's truck they saw three or so fans holding a sign that read "Andy, the Time's .... to Go." The protesters were across the street from the NovaCare entrance, according to Mathis. That would place them at a public park, not on Eagles property.
After driving past, Kelce and Mathis returned to the fans and said they asked them to take down the sign. Both said they did not threaten the fans, but that the protesters complied. Each has been the subject of much criticism since then. Here's how they responded:
"I support our fans, I support everyone that roots for us, everyone that comes to the games. That's the wrong message that’s being displayed right now. I support freedom of speech," said Kelce. "If you want to go out to talk bad stuff about the coaches or things like that do it on a blog, do it wherever you want, but don’t bring it to our front door right now when we’re 1-4 trying to get better we don’t need that kind of division on the team right now."
But don't fans who support the team have the right to voice their anger at a 1-4 start?
"They have the right to do that just as much as I have the right to tell them – ask them – to take a sign down. I support their freedom of spech and I support their right to say anything they want to. But what I want them to do is do that on a blog, do it in the media, but keep it away from here," Kelce said. "Right now we’re tyring to come together as a team and get this thing fixed. We don’t need people calling for our coach's head right in front of us on our front door when we’re trying to get better."
Kelce said he did not regret doing it.
"I don’t regret it at all. There was nothing ever physical mentioned, there was no harm mentioned – we asked them to take the sign down," he said.
Mathis told a similar version of events.
"We’re trying to come together as a team and stay together as a team and create a positive environment around here and it’s different if you’re going to write about it or call into a radio show or blog about it or talk amongst your friends about it. To go in our front yard and put something so negative right here – I stand by telling them to take that down," he said.
"I didn't want anything negative out there that would start, that could have any kind of potential to create a divide in this team, so we asked them, take it down."
Mathis, who has played for the Dolphins, Bengals and Panthers in previous career stops, said, "You don't know how good you have it around here having Andy as a coach. Andy is a good coach."
Worth noting here is that Kelce and Mathis are new to Philadelphia. Neither is all that familiar yet with the fans here or the city's very divided - and long-standing - opinions on Reid.
-- As for on field news, there wasn't much. Kurt Coleman still seems likely to start at safety Sunday, though Juan Castillo said Jaiquawn Jarrett will get some first team reps in practice this week.
-- Marty Mornhinweg said the Eagles player have great "pride" and need to take care of the football. "Most of our offense is dynamite. .... There are certain things you can't do in a game and win," he said, referring to turnovers.
If these two idiots are upset about a sign across from their "front yard" let them go 1-5 or worse and witness what will happen on Sunday afternoons in their "home".— Bob1- I've been wanting gone for 5 years, but I think putting the sign up across the training complex is stupid.— Phront_Runner
- This is a non-story. Thanks to 24/7 news and internet and political correctness everything is news and everyone needs to be outraged and take a side. Post your stupid sign. You have the right. The Eagles should have just ignored it. This is just a game, not real life.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Umemployed Morons!— AXP33
- Kelce and Mathis should go back into Novacare Center and watch game film. Ignore the fans and do your job as best you can, guys. That's all we ask. If you stink, so be it.— Tyrone Biggums
- buy a billboard like all of the other hardcore NFL fans do in other cities. I would have told the two reporters to go sit on one and mind their business. Freedom of speech— bbewsirhc
- buy a billboard like all of the other hardcore NFL fans do in other cities. I would have told the two reporters to go sit on one and mind their business. Freedom of speech— bbewsirhc
- If I were Kelce I'd defend Reid to the death as well. Without Reid he would be working a 9 to 5 job since no other team in the NFL would have been moronic enough to draft him. This team is garbage.— Scope33
- I can only hope for many more losses and the continue humiliation of the fat man. There is no possible way for this team to make the playoffs.— Justaschmuck
- You can only coach what you have, at your disposal. It was obvious that a decision was made to overhaul the defensive strategy of the team. The irrevocable decision came when there was a lock out. I think that the timing was negative as to the required preparation needed for such comprehensive changes in staff, schemes and personnel. I would like to know how experts pick the teams that are leading the league? Maybe the teams that are doing well didn't have many changes in personnel and schemes. They were able to practice the old stuff. After all this is entertainment, enjoy.— aden
- Editor, please!
— fishtown charlie - If you (the players) want us to shut-up............then WIN!— NC Eagle Fan
Just sent this to Bird Brains HQ:
So now the players don't want fans holding up a sign in a public place. Well, fans who pay to see you choke each year because of the arrogance which pervades your organization have every right to hold up that sign or anything like it. This farce has gone on for too long. I have an appointment in center city November 1st. When I'm done, I'm going to stop by the Eagles Store and demand that they remove my name from the mailing list because you are wasting our money. You've been talking Gold Standard while Andy Reid has been given everything a person could need to win even one Super Bowl and has FAILED. What's it going to take? If you can't see that something is fundamentally wrong in your approach, please Mr. Lurie - sell the team to someone that actually means what he says.— Atomic Fury- "Andy, it's time to go!"
OK. I feel better, now.— fishtown charlie - lol— JettaPSU01
