Jason Kelce is well aware his Philadelphia homecoming took center stage on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” coverage between his former Eagles team and the Falcons.
It also isn’t lost on the retired center-turned-sportscaster that some outside of Philadelphia might not have appreciated that.
“Atlanta had to deal with me for four hours before things got rough for the Eagles,” Jason said on Wednesday’s installment of the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with brother Travis Kelce when discussing Philadelphia’s Week 2 loss.
Jason Kelce during “Monday Night Football’s”coverage of the Eagles-Falcons clash on Sept. 16, 2024.AP
“… Listen, I want to apologize to Falcons fans watching because I understand that you just had to watch just a Philadelphia celebration and a parade of a former player coming back home.”
When Travis commented, “We all deserved to see that, that was what people wanted to see,” and lauded ESPN for a “great job,” Jason replied, “I want to apologize but I’m not going to because it was f–king awesome.”
Jason, who retired from the NFL in March after 13 seasons with the Eagles, made his anticipated return to Lincoln Financial Field on Monday for Philadelphia’s home opener.
As part of the pregame coverage, cameras captured Jason — now in the role of an ESPN analyst after joining the network in the spring — hyping fans on stage before kickoff and joining broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the booth in the third quarter.
Jason Kelce spoke about his Eagles homecoming on this week’s episode of “New Heights.”Youtube
“How crazy is it? The first time I’m back in the building I’m commenting on a game?” the 36-year-old said. “… Before the game, being out in the parking lot, the countdown, being up in the booth with Joe and Troy, it was really, really awesome for me, so selfishly, I am just beyond happy that that was kind of how I get to remember my first time being in the Linc not as a player. At the same time, I fully understand why a bunch of Atlanta people hate my guts right now so I apologize.”
The Falcons, coming off a home-opening loss to the Steelers, got the last laugh, though, as quarterback Kirk Cousins’ touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake London late in the fourth quarter put Atlanta ahead 22-21.
Although the Eagles got the ball back with 34 seconds left, a Jalen Hurts interception sealed the victory for the opposing birds.
Jason Kelce spent 13 seasons with the Eagles before retiring in March 2024.Getty Images
Jason Kelce embraced fans at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 16, 2024.AP
Not only has the fallout from the game been swift, between the costly Saquon Barkley drop and curious Nick Sirianni calls, but many in sports media have called out ESPN’s Eagles-heavy coverage.
“I can’t imagine what a Falcons fan must have thought of that second half when their team was completely ignored before pulling off a stunning comeback,” Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina wrote in a column entitled, “ESPN Turned Falcons-Eagles Into Never-Ending ‘Jason Kelce Show.’”
“Good Morning Football’s” Kyle Brandt said Tuesday on the NFL Network program, “The E in ESPN stood for Eagles,” as covered by Awful Announcing.
The “Monday Night Football” crew travels to Buffalo for Week 3 when the Bills host the Jaguars.
It remains to be seen if Jason’s latest adventure to Western New York will be just as memorable as his last one.
