Tuesday’s joint practice between the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts ended with animosity.
A “major fight” unfolded when Eagles center Jason Kelce struck Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin after taking exception to a hit on running back Kenneth Gainwell. Speaking to reporters after the practice, Kelce called his actions “unacceptable.”
“I let my emotions get the better of me,” Kelce said, via John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “That certainly doesn’t belong out there on the field. I’m a little bit ashamed it got to that level.”
Jason Kelce said he needs to keep his composure and he said it shouldn’t have happened: him going after the Colts after seeing a few of his teammates get hit
“That was not okay”
“That was unacceptable from me” pic.twitter.com/TUO9Xx2cJq
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 22, 2023
Kelce said he thinks “very highly” of his practice opponents and called Franklin a “tremendous player.” Gainwell, on the other hand, said Kelce’s support meant “a lot” and declared that the Eagles “whooped” the Colts.
“That’s just Kelce being Kelce,” Gainwell said. “Being a professional and taking care of his brothers.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni previously worked as Indianapolis’ offensive coordinator, and the Colts hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their head coach this offseason. Yet that organizational symmetry didn’t lead to a peaceful joint practice.
Then again, Sirianni took extra pride in defeating the Colts last season after they fired his mentor, Frank Reich.
The brawl ended Tuesday’s session and Philadelphia’s training camp. The Eagles and Colts will regroup to play a preseason game Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.