Jason Kelce brought some unexpected fun to Venice Beach on Friday as he surprised locals and tourists alike, filming an impromptu segment for his upcoming late-night talk show. The former Philadelphia Eagles center, now retired from the NFL, was seen strolling through the iconic Los Angeles neighborhood, delighting people with his humor and quick wit while working on his new project, “They Call it Late Night with Jason Kelce,” which is set to premiere in January on ESPN.
At 37, Kelce is transitioning from the football field to the world of entertainment, and he seems to be making the most of it. Exclusive footage from DailyMail.com provided a sneak peek of what’s in store, showing the former Super Bowl champion walking up and down Venice Beach, accompanied by a camera crew, as he engaged with unsuspecting passersby.
The footage highlighted Kelce’s comedic chops as he approached random people, sometimes even pulling them into spontaneous games, singing, and fun challenges.
Kelce, already known for his charisma as co-host of the popular “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, seemed perfectly at ease bringing that same humor to the streets of Los Angeles. In his man-on-the-street segment, he asked participants to sing, hum, or play an instrument featuring their favorite songs.
Videos of the shoot showed Kelce dressed in a poncho decorated with Eagles colors and a yellow visor, clearly embracing his playful side for the cameras. At one point, he even jokingly introduced himself to a bewildered passerby by saying, “I’m Taylor Swift’s boyfriend’s brother,” drawing laughs from onlookers who understood the reference to his brother Travis’ highly publicized relationship with the pop superstar.
Another particularly memorable moment captured Kelce and a fan belting out “Fly, Eagles Fly,” the Philadelphia Eagles fight song, bringing some of that Philly spirit to the sunny California coastline. Not everyone was fully aware of who was interviewing them, though.
A tourist couple from Japan seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they were being asked questions by a former NFL star, providing a humorous contrast to those who immediately recognized him.
Despite some participants not knowing who he was, it was evident that Kelce was a natural entertainer, with many people enjoying his presence and antics. He used his larger-than-life personality to put people at ease, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and good humor.
Kelce officially announced his new hosting gig the previous evening during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where he shared his excitement for the upcoming show.
The hour-long program, described by Kelce as a “celebration” featuring sports legends, friends, and celebrities, will begin airing on ESPN at 1 a.m. starting January 3. The show will tape for five consecutive Friday nights in front of a live studio audience in Philadelphia, bringing a late-night twist to the world of sports entertainment.
Talking about his “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” appearance the night before, Kelce couldn’t help but share a funny piece of advice he received from Kimmel. “The best advice Jimmy Kimmel gave me when I was walking off his show last night is I told him I missed showering with the guys after a game, and he told me I should do a shower segment on the show,” Kelce revealed with a laugh.
He continued, “I just like talking to regular people,” highlighting his down-to-earth nature, which has made him such a fan favorite over the years.
Kelce even teased fans about a potential sidekick for his show. When asked if he would have a co-host or assistant, he joked, “I’m thinking of Dan Campbell’s brother.” The comment was met with laughs, reflecting the lighthearted and humorous vibe that Kelce is aiming to bring to his new show.
The segment filmed on Venice Beach seemed to generate plenty of positive reactions from fans. Witnesses reported Kelce’s antics, with one person sharing how the former athlete humorously walked towards the public showers on the beach while looking into the camera, saying he was going to take a shower. “Jason is a funny guy. He was walking towards the public showers on the beach while looking into the camera, saying that he was going to take a shower,” said one witness. “He just took off his shirt, revealing quite the beer belly.” The carefree, unfiltered humor that fans love about Kelce was clearly on full display.
For some, the encounter with Kelce turned into an unforgettable experience. Stacey Weltman, visiting from Canada, was particularly thrilled to be interviewed by the retired NFL star.
Having just attended a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto days prior, she felt that her chance meeting with Jason was fate. “I can’t believe I was just interviewed by Jason Kelce,” she shared. “At first, I didn’t want to come here because I wanted to see another Taylor Swift concert this weekend, and then this happens. I take it as a sign that I was meant to be here. I am a huge Taylor Swift fan and a big fan of Jason’s wife too. Travis was really, really nice.”
Stacey’s reaction echoed the excitement many feel when they encounter their favorite sports figures, especially one as approachable and engaging as Kelce.
The mention of Taylor Swift added another layer of interest, as Jason’s connection to her through his brother Travis continues to draw attention and bring in even more fans from different corners of pop culture.
With “They Call it Late Night with Jason Kelce” set to premiere soon, it’s clear that Jason Kelce’s next chapter will be full of humor, surprises, and, of course, plenty of entertainment.
The Venice Beach shoot gave a small taste of what’s to come, and if it’s any indication, fans are in for a treat when the show debuts. Jason Kelce has always been larger than life on the football field, and now, he’s bringing that same energy to late-night TV.
