Blood is thicker than water, but in the Kelce family, it’s thicker than pigskin too! This time, Ed Kelce just threw a flag on Chris “Mad Dog” Russo for his unsportsmanlike conduct toward his son Jason Kelce.
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In a Facebook post that’s got NFL fans buzzing loud, Ed Kelce didn’t mince words about Russo’s recent jabs at his son, Jason. “Chris Russo’s job is to be controversial for controversy’s sake and say stupid stuff,” Ed fired off. “He’s very good at his job.” This concise critique came just days after Russo’s on-air rant, proving that Papa Kelce’s defense is as solid as his son’s offensive line.
This family feud started after Russo went on a tirade during Wednesday’s “First Take” about Jason Kelce’s omnipresence on ESPN. “I think we’ve all seen plenty of Jason Kelce in the last few weeks,” Russo barked, clearly irked by the former Eagles center’s high-profile debut on “Monday Night Football.” Russo even admitted he was “in one of those moods,” before unleashing his criticism.
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But Russo’s rant didn’t sit well with his ESPN colleagues. Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim rushed to Kelce’s defense. “Woah, woah woah!… We all [like Kelce]… He’s a star, OK,” Qerim interjected, while Smith added, “I happen to like Jason Kelce.” Smith went on to say, “He’s a new star to the network. I’m very proud of him and I’m happy to see him.”
As the debate raged on, ex-Colts center Jeff Saturday lobbed the ultimate accusation at Russo: “You’re a hater.” It seems in the court of public opinion, Russo’s hot take is about as popular as a Patriots fan in Philadelphia. And speaking of Philly, let’s take a closer look at why Jason Kelce’s star status is rising faster than an Eagles touchdown celebration.
Jason Kelce’s meteoric media rise
Jason Kelce’s transition from NFL trenches to ESPN trendsetter has been smoother than a perfectly executed play-action pass. His “Monday Night Football” debut turned into a Philly lovefest, complete with tailgating shenanigans and velvet tracksuit swagger. He even went viral for his dance moves and chest-bumping a Philadelphia super fan before the game.
But not everyone’s cheering from the sidelines. Some fans, particularly those not draped in Eagles green, felt the coverage was more lopsided than a blowout game. As one Sports Illustrated writer put it, ESPN turned the Falcons-Eagles matchup into the “Never-Ending ‘Jason Kelce Show.'” Kyle Brandt of “Good Morning Football” quipped, “The E in ESPN stood for Eagles.”
Kelce, ever the good sport, acknowledged the potential foul. “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,” he said on his “New Heights” podcast. But in true Kelce fashion, he couldn’t resist adding, “I want to apologize but I’m not going to because it was f–king awesome.”
As Kelce continues to charm audiences both on and off the field, it’s clear he’s scored a touchdown in his post-NFL career. His multi-year deal with ESPN includes appearances on “Monday Night Countdown” each week, halftime shows with Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Clark, and even Super Bowl coverage through 2027. Plus, let’s not forget his $3 million success with the “A Philly Special Christmas Special” album, proving he’s as versatile off the field as he was on it.
Whether you love him or hate him (looking at you, Chris Russo), one thing’s for sure – Jason Kelce is here to stay, and he’s bringing his signature Philly flavor to every broadcast. As his brother Travis put it while watching Jason’s debut with Taylor Swift, they were “absolutely dying laughing.” It seems the Kelce charm is a family trait, winning over fans and pop stars alike.
Written by
Edited by
M.R. Jenifer