Jason Kelce didn’t just show up for ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown—he stole the spotlight with full-on festive flair. The former Philadelphia Eagles center, now a popular NFL analyst and cohost of the New Heights podcast with his brother Travis Kelce, kicked off the Dec. 22 pregame show with a performance that instantly set the tone for the night.
Wearing a classic Santa Claus suit, Kelce opened the broadcast ahead of the Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup by hammering out the opening notes of “Jingle Bells” on an electric keytar. After shouting a loud “Yeah, merry Christmas!” he dove headfirst into a high-energy, rock-style version of the holiday staple alongside the house band. At one point, Kelce even pointed out a nearby elf-costumed guest, jokingly announcing, “We got Buddy the Elf,” as the camera revealed a character that looked more like a generic holiday helper than the famous Will Ferrell role.
The moment quickly went viral, with fans delighted to Watch Jason Kelce Go All Out as Santa Claus on Monday Night Countdown, proving once again that his post-NFL career is just as entertaining as his playing days.
A Football Star With Serious Musical Roots
Kelce’s musical confidence isn’t accidental. He’s a founding member of The Philly Specials, a band made up of current and former Eagles players who have released three holiday albums in support of charity. The group’s success has gone well beyond novelty status—Billboard even praised “Fairytale of Philadelphia,” a duet between Jason and Travis Kelce, naming it among the best Christmas covers of the 21st century.
That song also earned the brothers a spot on the charts, debuting at No. 2 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart and No. 5 on the Digital Song Sales chart in November 2023. Not bad for a couple of NFL icons turned holiday hitmakers.
Keeping It Family With Taylor Swift
With Travis Kelce engaged to global pop superstar Taylor Swift, Jason has also found himself adjacent to one of the biggest names in music—though he’s careful to keep that relationship personal rather than professional. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, he explained that he prefers to treat Swift simply as family, not a business connection.
“I just enjoy her being my brother’s soon-to-be wife and aunt to my kids,” Kelce said, adding that they try to keep those boundaries intact. Still, he doesn’t hide his admiration for her work ethic. Jason has spoken openly about how impressed he is by Swift’s ability to reclaim her music catalog, tour worldwide, and continue writing new material—all while maintaining control over her creative vision and trusting experts around her.
Between rocking out as Santa, building chart-topping holiday music, and offering thoughtful insights off the field, Jason Kelce continues to redefine what life after football can look like—and he’s clearly having a blast doing it.