Jason Kelce became an instant Philadelphia sports icon when he retired last March followinig a 13-year, Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Eagles.
Now a fixture on ESPN pre-game shows and national commercials, no singular person embodies Philly’s “Go Birds!” rallying cry quite like the boisterous and fun-loving Kelce.
There’s an elephant in the room this week, though, especially on Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast with younger brother Travis, whose Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make NFL history as the only team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Standing in the way of that feat — and Travis’ fourth SB ring overall — is Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, who will meet the Chiefs for the world championship in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
Jason Kelce became a fixture at Chiefs tailgates and playoff games at Arrowhead Stadium during his brother’s run to back-to-back titles in 2023. Now, fans want to know: Who is Jason really rooting for in Super Bowl LIX?
Let’s just say Eagles fans aren’t impressed by their former Ironman’s non-answer during a recent episode of New Heights:
JASON: Here’s the biggest thing. For me, obviously, you’re my brother. I’ll always root for my brother. That’s the reality of it.
TRAVIS: Yes!
JASON: Alright? Even though I’m decked out in Eagles gear I’m always going to root for Travis.
TRAVIS: Take that, Philly.
JASON: “But … there’s a lot of people in the Philadelphia organization, whether it’s players, coaches, people in the building, that feel like extended family to me, especially my former linemen. Like, Lane Johnson feels like a brother, in a lot of ways. I’m rooting for those guys, too. I’m rooting for Philadelphia and I’m rooting for Travis Kelce. That’s the reality of it. No matter what, on game day I’m going to be happy, for one of those sides. And I’m going to be sad for the other side.
TRAVIS: Yeah, I was about to say, it’d be mixed emotions, man.
JASON: I still feel like I’m a Philadelphia Eagle, and that I’m a part of all of these people that root and cheer on our team. I would be lying if I said I don’t want the Eagles to win. But I also want Travis Kelce to win. So that’s a long-winded way of saying: I just wanna see a good football game. And whoever wins, I’m going to be happy for that guy.
TRAVIS: You heard it here first, folks. He wants Travis Kelce to win.
You have to give it up for Jason Kelce. He’s riding the fence harder than a lifelong politician.
This is obviously a tough spot. The chance for a three-peat and NFL history adds another layer to this game for the Kelce family. That’s an accomplishment the two could be talking about for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, you can’t run around like “Mr. Philly” all year and then be happy to see the Eagles lose in the Super Bowl. It would have been fun to see Jason tell his brother, “It’s on,” just like when their teams went head-to-head in the Super Bowl to close the 2022 season (a game won by Travis and the Chiefs, 38-35).
We didn’t get that, and Eagles fans reacted accordingly:
“This is so weak. Go Birds,” one fan wrote on X.com (formerly Twitter).
“This is weak af,” wrote another. “Travis has won 3 Super Bowls already while many people around that org weren’t even around last time the Eagles won in 2017. Root for your brothers that you fought with on gameday your entire career especially when a lot of them haven’t won one.”
Again, while this was a non-answer by Jason Kelce, it was a rational one. He’ll probably be yucking it up at the Eagles championship parade if Philly wins. He’ll also be seen celebrating with his brother if the Chiefs accomplish a three-peat in New Orleans.
Just don’t expect Eagles fans to react to those comments rationally less than two weeks from the Super Bowl.
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