Kayla Harper, wife of Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper, became emotional discussing the impact of public criticism on her husband during a recent interview. In an episode of the 'Let's Be Honest' podcast hosted by Kristin Cavallari, Kayla Harper spoke for the first time alongside her husband about the challenges of being married to a professional athlete.
When asked about the most difficult aspect of her marriage to a professional athlete, Harper stated that personal attacks against her husband were the most hurtful. "It's not even when people say he sucks, because obviously he doesn't suck. I think it's more when they attack his character and I'm like, 'That is not him at all,'" she said, wiping away tears. She expressed that hearing numerous opinions about her husband, who is not the person people perceive him to be as a husband, father, friend, or baseball player, is difficult.
Kayla Harper noted that she has witnessed her husband facing significant scrutiny throughout his baseball career, making it challenging to remain silent in the face of attacks. She recounted her husband's difficult relationship with the media since his youth, observing how people he has never met criticize him. "That's hard to sit back and not say anything. It's hard to not get on… [I've responded] when I was dumb and young. I'm sassy. I've got a lot to say. I'm sarcastic with people. I would pop off in stuff," she admitted. However, she acknowledged that such responses are unproductive and that it is difficult to ignore the situation.
Despite the external criticism, Kayla Harper affirmed her knowledge of her husband's true character, stating, "At the end of the day, I know who he is. He's got his family. It is what it is."
Bryce Harper, a nine-time All-Star, shared his perspective on public criticism, asserting that he is indifferent to what strangers say. "not any of those people that are really saying stuff are ever going to be at my Thanksgiving dinner," he stated. He added, "I'm never going to invite them through my door. My grandma used to say, 'Opinions are like a**holes, everybody's got one.'"
