Even with a delayed start Tuesday, Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce took an extended period of time to talk with the Rowan Football team before his first appearance at Rowan University.
After that, the Super Bowl Champion center and former saxophone player chatted with the Pride of the Profs Marching Band — moments before they led a packed Pfleeger Concert Hall in the Eagles fight song and chant.
“Nothing else will reinforce how important and how beneficial practicing something is,” Kelce said. “If you don’t practice, you’re going to suck.”
The crowd erupted in applause as Kelce took the stage. Alongside him was Neil Hartman, the senior director of the Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact, and Mike Quick, the longtime Eagles player turned broadcaster who joined the center as a professional in residence in fall 2023.
“When he’s on the field, he’s one of the smartest people on the field,” Quick said. “He’s one of the smartest people in any room that he goes into.”
Kelce had the resume fit for a coach, but didn’t go that route — opting instead for sports media as a prominent personality on ESPN and anchor for “Monday Night Countdown.”
The reason? He gets to be around more. Kelce said he realistically only works “two days a week.”
“I would love to coach,” Kelce said. “I have four kids. I want to be there and experiencing that. I know selfishly, coaching and doing that will be something very fulfilling, but I also know that, like, I’m probably not ready for that type of commitment.”
For Kelce, a self-proclaimed “girl dad,” life after football is less about slowing down and more about embracing new roles — something he made clear during his hour-long discussion.
The 13-year NFL veteran leaned into his reputation as one of football’s most relatable figures, joking about the contrast between his public recognition and his home life with four daughters, where he says the fanfare quickly fades.
Kelce still featured the usual topics of conversation, including reminiscing on his well-decorated career, facing off against his brother, Travis Kelce, in the Super Bowl, and of course, his iconic parade speech that almost didn’t happen.
“I didn’t know if I was going to get to talk and found out the day before that I was getting the chance to,” Kelce said. “I didn’t have to write anything down…All I did was regurgitate a story that I lived.”
But of all the stories he shared, only one surfaced more than once — a quiet retelling of a day spent on the putting green with one of his daughters.
“I mean, if I’m being honest, my favorite thing I’ve done since I’ve retired is watch my daughter hit a golf ball,” Kelce said. “The family for sure, it takes the cake.”
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