Philly Leader

For the last 13 years, Eagles legend Jason Kelce parked his truck in the players' lot at Lincoln Financial Field, walked into the locker room, suited up with his teammates, and snapped the ball on almost every offensive play of his career.

Monday night was different.

Back for a game at Lincoln Financial Field for the first time since retiring, this time as a broadcaster, Kelce made his second appearance as an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown. Kelce signed a deal back in May to be a regular analyst on the show that "shaped his love for sports."

"Being involved on gamedays is one of two ways a player can remain connected to the game," said Jason Kelce following his guest color commentary appearance during the second half of Monday Night Football. "With ESPN, there were a lot of things that were attractive to me. You're not just in the studio somewhere, for the most part, you're at the game. You're feeling the environment, the fans, and you're seeing players during pregame."

The stars were out for Kelce's return to Philadelphia with former teammates Fletcher Cox and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles joining him at Xfinity Live! for a party only Kelce would know how to throw before the former center got on stage for Monday Night Countdown. Cox and Foles wore dog masks on stage to surprise hundreds of rowdy Eagles fans ahead of the Lincoln Financial Field opener. Two lucky fans went home with the masks as they were launched deep into the crowd.

Eagles Cheerleaders and fans led their beloved former center across the parking lot to the stage with Canadian DJ duo Loud Luxury blasting music in the background.

Kelce sported a Kelly Green South Philly tuxedo with an Italian flag, given to him by Eagles Senior Advisor to the General Manager/Chief Security Officer/Gameday Coaching Operations Dom DiSandro during the opening of the show when Kelce tried entering the locker room at his old stomping grounds.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection then ventured over to the visiting sideline inside the stadium to continue with the second half of ESPN's marquee NFL program. Kelce was joined for special segments at the desk and on-field by ESPN's Senior NFL Reporter Adam Schefter, who was dressed in a Mummers Costume; Villanova Basketball legend Jalen Brunson; and Fanatics Founder and CEO Michael Rubin.

Before the night was over, Kelce was a guest during the third quarter of ESPN's live broadcast with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. His addition to the booth was decided just a few days ago. ESPN and Kelce discussed calling games after he enjoyed that experience at the league's broadcasting and media workshop in 2023.

After switching to an actual green suit, Kelce called two "Brotherly Shoves," dissecting a play he was such a crucial part of last year.

Kelce gave a "there we go" on-air when Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts pushed his way for a fourth-quarter touchdown on their patented play.

"I think I got better as it went on," Kelce said of his performance in the booth. "You are trying to figure out where you fit in and what to say. Again, Joe and Troy have been doing that for so long. They set me up pretty good a few times."

After being a staple on Eagles' offensive line for 13 seasons, Kelce now joins a new team playing a prominent role on Monday Night Countdown alongside host Scott Van Pelt and analysts Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears.

Van Pelt is in his second year hosting ESPN's Monday Night Countdown after 34 years in sports broadcasting. Clark and Spears are also in their second season on this show.

"At desk I'm on, there are many experienced guys who have done it for awhile," said Kelce. "Knowing that I'd be on desk with experienced people who would make me look better than I am was certainly something intriguing."

One thing hasn't changed: weekly game preparation.

However, there is now twist he is getting accustomed: reading game previews instead scouting reports; sitting production meetings instead team meetings; watching press conferences or conducting interviews instead being interviewed himself like this week Hurts case.

Through this new adventure, Kelce enjoys experiencing something different while working with "new team."

"There's teammates; there's whole support staff here," said Kelce."Just like our gamedays trainers equipment staff now we've got producers sound guys fun start get know your team build chemistry."