Jason Kelce is officially stepping into his Monday Night Football era!
On Tuesday, May 14, the former Philadelphia Eagles center celebrated his official welcome by lifting Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson into the air as she introduced him at the Disney upfront event, where the network announced its new programming lineups.
Following his NFL retirement on March 4, Kelce will be joining ESPN as a commentator on Monday Night Countdown.
“I feel incredible,” he said onstage. “I know what it takes to be great — it takes a great team. I am more than psyched to participate in all the shenanigans that’ll take place this season.”
Kelce continued, “I have three wonderful daughters, and my wife and I will be taking full advantage.”
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The former pro athlete and his wife, Kylie Kelce, have been married since 2018 and have three children together: Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 3, and Bennett, 1.
While onstage, Jason also joked with Brunson about his wardrobe for his new gig.
“Will you wear a suit? Or go topless?” the actress asked. “Gametime decision.”
Her joke referenced Jason’s antics in January after watching his younger brother, Travis Kelce, score two touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs during their divisional round win against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. At the time, his wife went viral for “looking absolutely unfazed in the back,” a testament to how accustomed she is to his playful persona.
Last month, reports surfaced that Jason would be joining ESPN as a commentator after an article was published by The Athletic. However, the move was not officially announced until Tuesday.
“It’s upfront season in New York, and it gives me great pleasure to say to you all, ‘We got him!’” ESPN SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt said during a brief on-stage interview with their new hire, per Deadline.
“It all hits you at once,” Jason said of the transition from being on the field to becoming a broadcaster. “You almost remember the adversity more than you do the success. A lot of emotions get baked into it. But I look forward to starting the next chapter of my career.”
