Jason Kelce, the retired Philadelphia Eagles center, found himself in an incredibly difficult position as he watched his brother, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs face off against his former team in Super Bowl LIX. The game, which took place in New Orleans, was nothing short of emotionally challenging for Jason, who had spent his entire NFL career with the Eagles before retiring in March 2024. On the “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason described the experience as “the weirdest game ever watching” and admitted that it filled him with “sheer discomfort.”
Jason’s struggle stemmed from the fact that he couldn’t root for one team over the other without feeling conflicted. “The only other time you don’t care about the outcome is when you’re not really attached to either of the teams,” he explained. But in this case, his attachment to both teams—his former team, the Eagles, and his brother’s team, the Chiefs—made it impossible for him to remain neutral. He recalled jumping out of his seat multiple times during the game, torn between celebrating the Eagles’ success and hoping for the Chiefs to make a comeback. “I’m going back and forth, and it just ended up just not being a fun game to watch,” he confessed. The internal tug-of-war left him feeling frustrated and emotionally drained, as he couldn’t fully enjoy the game without feeling like he was betraying one side or the other.
Travis, who is 35 and a tight end for the Chiefs, offered some perspective on his brother’s emotional turmoil. He suggested that Jason was putting too much effort into worrying about what other people thought of his divided loyalties. Travis reminded Jason that he didn’t need to justify his feelings to anyone, as family bonds are far more important than football rivalries. However, Jason couldn’t shake off the discomfort he felt as he watched the game unfold. He had anticipated feeling a mix of happiness and sadness, but as the game progressed, those emotions gave way to frustration and disappointment. “I didn’t anticipate the amount of sheer discomfort and frustration that I would have watching the game,” he admitted.
The game itself didn’t help ease Jason’s feelings. The Eagles dominated the Chiefs, winning 40-22, and the lopsided score made the experience even harder for Jason to watch. “If the score were closer, that might have made it better,” he said. Instead, the one-sided nature of the game made him feel like he was trapped in a losing situation no matter what. The Eagles’ victory was a bittersweet moment for him, as he couldn’t fully celebrate the success of his former team without feeling pain for his brother and the Chiefs. Jason’s emotional state was further complicated by the fact that he was watching the game in a VIP suite alongside his pregnant wife, Kylie Kelce, Travis’ girlfriend Taylor Swift, and their mother, Donna Kelce. The presence of his loved ones only added to the intensity of his emotions.
Despite the tough loss, Travis handled the situation with grace and maturity. After the game, he was seen congratulating several Eagles players, including quarterback Jalen Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert, showing respect for his opponents even in defeat. Taylor Swift, who had been supporting Travis throughout the season, was also in attendance and reportedly couldn’t be prouder of him, regardless of the outcome. Her presence in the VIP suite added another layer to the emotional dynamics of the evening, as Jason and Travis’s family came together to navigate the highs and lows of the game.
Reflecting on the experience, Jason acknowledged that watching his brother play in the Super Bowl was a unique and challenging experience. He had thought he understood what it would feel like, but the reality was far more emotionally taxing than he had anticipated. The game left him feeling torn, frustrated, and ultimately unsatisfied, despite the Eagles’ victory. It was a stark reminder that, in some cases, there’s no way to win, and the only thing you can do is accept the discomfort and move forward. For Jason, the experience was a lesson in the complexities of family, loyalty, and the unpredictable nature of sports.
