Jason Kelce, the former center of the NFL (National Football League), bid farewell to American football in March of this year and will exchange his gear for a suit and the ball for a microphone. This is because the brother of Travis Kelce and consequently the brother-in-law of Taylor Swift will make his debut this Monday night, September 9, as a commentator on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown,” in the game between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers.
Jason Kelce had other stations interested, with ESPN competing against CBS and Amazon for his talent, according to the “Daily Mail“. However, the former player expressed some concerns about this project. “I think I’m afraid of not being prepared because I feel like there’s a lot more autonomy,” he said on the podcast “Green Light With Chris Long” in August. “Once removed from the job, we have to work hard to observe things and understand what’s happening to do quality work,” he continued.
His wife, Kylie McDevitt, whom he married in April 2018 and with whom he has three daughters, Wyatt Elizabeth, 4, Elliotte Ray, 3, and Bennet Llwellyin, 1 year, believes that Jason Kelce will do a great job. “I jokingly say it’s a pain that he’s good at everything, and I know I’m biased about that, but I truly believe he is good at everything because even if he’s not good at first or the best at first, he will work tirelessly and relentlessly until he gets it,” she told “People.”
The Kelce brothers have had a podcast together since September 2022, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” where they talk about American football, games, and major NFL and sports news. The duo records weekly episodes, each lasting between 60 to 90 minutes. The project landed a $100 million (about 90 million euros) deal with Wondery, owned by Amazon, last month.
“For me, the biggest unique difference in this show [“Monday Night Countdown”] is the fact that it’s live,” he said in an ESPN panel. “In the podcast, I can say any nonsense I want to Travis and cut it, so it doesn’t make it to the final show. But in this case, we have to provide something concrete so that the viewer or fan can take something away. I’m looking forward to that,” he continued, adding that he will “continue to try to be authentic” to himself.
Travis Kelce, who is an American football player, will also host the general knowledge show “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” which will premiere on Prime Video on October 2. The winner will take home a prize valued at $100,000 (about 90,000 euros).