Jason Kelce didn't waste any time going viral in his Monday Night Football pregame coverage debut. The former Philadelphia Eagles center was joined on the Monday Night Countdown set by Scott Van Pelt and two former players, Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears.
Sitting in the middle of them, Kelce was the only one not wearing a jacket. Van Pelt didn't waste any time pointing this out and explaining the back story.
"We are thrilled to welcome in a six-time first-team All-NFL player, NFL champion, and future gold jacket wearer... and all that said, Jason Kelce is wearing a shirt he got at the mall because he left his travel bag in the truck."
"@JasonKelce is wearing a shirt he got at the mall because he left his travel bag in the truck."
—@notthefakeSVP ? pic.twitter.com/57Gc25IH7U
— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2024
The entire team was cracking up at the incident and it only intensified the second Kelce opened his mouth.
"It fits my belly now, I've lost a little bit of weight but my tits are still struggling," Kelce said in what was his first comment on the ESPN show. He joked on X afterwards that he figured they would bleep it out.
Kelce is one who never holds back. He famously delivered an epic, expletive-laden Super Bowl parade speech following the Eagles title run. He's also a co-host on an unfiltered podcast called "New Heights" with his brother, Travis, where anything goes.
Speaking of Travis, the Kansas City Chiefs star couldn't help but comment on his brother's debut. He wrote on X, "Surprised he bought a new one and didn't just go shirtless." Chiefs fans will fondly understand that reference.
So give it time, maybe he'll avoid being so straightforward with what's on his mind next time... or maybe not. The latter is who he is, and clearly, the team he's working with appreciates his candidness. After all, every viewer who tuned in could clearly see one of his buttons fighting for its life. It had to be addressed.
Jason Kelce spent 13 seasons in Philadelphia before joining ESPN's Monday Night Countdown. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Following his retirement in March after 13 seasons - all of which in Philadelphia - Kelce signed on with ESPN two months later.
"Jason is a highly respected, Super Bowl Champion with a strong connection to fans," said Burke Magnus, ESPN President of Content, in the press release. "Walking off the field and immediately to ESPN, viewers will benefit from his perspective which has been shaped through his years as an established locker room leader and a future Hall of Fame center. Jason's addition to Monday Night Countdown will greatly strengthen our NFL coverage."
A strong connection to fans is exactly what took place when he delivered his introduction, so ESPN certainly called that.
If what we saw transpire on opening night is any indication of what's to come, we're certainly going to be in for a treat each and every time Kelce opens his mouth on Monday Night Countdown.
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