Jason Kelce says his fanbase shifted from "fat, hairy guys" to 14-year-old Swifties after Travis' Taylor Swift romance
Jason Kelce, along with the entire NFL, has felt the impact of Taylor Swift’s entrance into the football world. As the pop icon’s romance with Jason’s brother Travis Kelce has blossomed, Jason has felt a major shift in his fanbase.
Jason Kelce announced his retirement from football in March after serving the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 seasons since 2011. The center won the 2018 Super Bowl with the Eagles. Over the last year, his fans have changed from traditional football fans to teen and pre-teen girls, a phenomenon Kelce credits to Taylor Swift.
On the recent episode of the Kelce brothers’ podcast "New Heights," the elder Kelce brother confessed to the major shift in his fans’ ages and personalities, saying:
“My demographic when I used to go outside used to be fat, hairy guys. That used to be who, like, if I was out in public, was gonna stop me and say, ‘Hey, I like you, Jason Kelce.' Football guys. Fat, hairy guys.”
“Now I go out in public, routinely, 14-year-old little girls. That is, like, where my bread and butter is at, 12- to 14-year-old little girls are like, ‘Oh my God! You're the brother of Travis dating Taylor Swift.” [5:20 – 5:50]
The "Swift effect" has been compounding over the last season with each appearance of hers to watch the Kansas City Chiefs. With her relationship with Travis Kelce going strong, this season will likely be more of the same.
New role for Jason Kelce
Over the years, Jason Kelce revolutionized the position of center in football. After retiring, the seven-time Pro Bowler is set to try his hands at broadcasting. Kelce signed a $1.8 million contract with ESPN to appear on "Monday Night Football." However, Kelce is "nervous" about the role. Speaking on the podcast "Whiskey Ginger," he said:
“I'm nervous. And I think that's good. Every game I ever played in my life, that I played really well [in], I was nervous for, at least a healthy amount.”
As Kelce says, nervousness brings out the best in him and has helped him throughout his playing days. He will be hoping this translates to his broadcasting career as well.