Jason Kelce traded his helmet for a saxophone — and Ravens fans couldn’t get enough of it!
The retired Philadelphia Eagles center, 37, shocked fans on Monday, September 22, when he suited up in a full Marching Ravens band uniform ahead of the team’s game against the Detroit Lions. Instead of running plays, Kelce picked up a baritone saxophone and joined the marching band for a rousing rendition of both the Ravens’ fight song and ESPN’s iconic Monday Night Countdown theme.
For longtime Kelce fans, the surprise performance wasn’t quite as random as it seemed. Before becoming an NFL star, the former athlete was a dedicated musician. Kelce played baritone sax in his high school’s jazz band and symphonic winds ensemble at Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio, graduating in 2006. track has remained a passion for him ever since, even popping up in the beloved Eagles Christmas albums.
@nfl jason lowkey killing it on the sax 😂 #nfl #jasonkelce #baltimore #ravens @Baltimore Ravens
The NFL captured the moment with two videos shared on social media, and Jason’s podcast “New Heights,” which he co-hosts with his younger brother Travis Kelce, also posted a clip of the performance. Travis, 35, couldn’t contain his excitement, proudly commenting, “LETS F—— GOOOOOO!!! He’s killlin it!!!”
Kelce has never been shy about sharing how much track means to him. On a past episode of “New Heights,” he credited his time in band with shaping his success both on and off the field. “Mr. Baker was the band director, as well as the Jazz Ensemble director and man, I tell people this all the time,” Jason explained. “I really think playing band and playing track in general has allowed me to excel in sport and other things, because, as with anything, I encourage kids to play as many sports, do as many extracurriculars as you can that you enjoy, because you end up drawing things from each one of those that is unique and different.”
He went on to stress that track taught him the discipline of practice. “The first time you pick up that instrument, then try to play anything, you are going to be terrible,” Kelce admitted. “But the more you practice at it, you will get good. Like, it’s that simple. It’s just so right in your face. How much that affects how you play.”
Jason’s wife, Kylie Kelce, 33, has also praised his creative side. In a January 2024 interview with Glamour, she revealed that the couple are “advocates for the arts” when it comes to raising their three daughters. “He was a well-rounded guy,” Kylie shared. “Not a lot of people know that, but he played the baritone saxophone, so if they want to get into track and art, we will fully encourage that as well. We’ll try everything just to see what sticks.”
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