ESPN recently welcomed Jason Kelce to their Monday Night Football lineup, but not everyone at the network is thrilled about his presence. While Kelce, the beloved Philadelphia Eagles center, has quickly become a fan favorite on air, longtime ESPN personality Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t exactly on board with the former NFL star’s TV career.
Kelce made his debut on Monday Night Football earlier this month, appearing on the pregame show and even joining the broadcast booth in Week 2 as the Eagles took on the Falcons. His lively presence and natural charisma have been a hit with many, but Russo voiced his frustration during an episode of First Take.
“You’re gonna get mad at me, but I’m gonna say it anyway because I feel like it,” Russo declared on Wednesday. “I think we’ve all seen plenty of Jason Kelce in the last few weeks.”
Russo didn’t hold back, criticizing the amount of airtime Kelce has received, particularly during his appearance alongside seasoned broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. The outspoken radio host’s complaints seem to reflect a portion of viewers who may feel Kelce’s media blitz—between his football appearances and his popular New Heights podcast with his brother Travis—has been a bit overwhelming.
However, Russo’s rant didn’t sit well with everyone. His ESPN colleague and former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Jeff Saturday quickly fired back, calling Russo a “hater.” Stephen A. Smith, another staple of ESPN, also defended Kelce, calling him “a new star to the network” and saying, “I happen to like Jason a great deal.”
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Kelce, who’s known for his larger-than-life personality, seemed to be having the time of his life during his return to Lincoln Financial Field earlier this season. He was seen dancing on stage and even tossing beers to fans before the game. Some accused him of being intoxicated before his on-air duties, but Kelce denied those claims during a subsequent episode of New Heights, where his brother Travis teased him about the incident.
“I could tell, by the way, [when] you were talking in the third quarter in the booth, that you had been on an up-and-down roller coaster of being in and out of being drunk since about noon,” Travis jokingly said.
Jason, laughing, immediately cut him off. “Zero beers!” he insisted, clarifying that while he tossed about 100 beers to the fans during the pregame festivities, he didn’t drink a single one. “Do you know how hard that was?” he asked, before adding with a grin, “I’m a professional, Travis. I don’t mess around.”
Despite Russo’s complaints, Jason Kelce seems to be thriving in his new role at ESPN. His energy and humor have made him a fan favorite both on the field and on the airwaves, and his authenticity continues to resonate with viewers.
The Kelce brothers will continue their busy media and football schedule, with Jason set to be in the booth this week as the Miami Dolphins take on the Tennessee Titans.
As for Russo, his rant may not stop Jason Kelce’s momentum anytime soon, as the Super Bowl-winning lineman continues to make his mark both in the NFL and in the broadcast world.
