The Jason Kelce era appeared to end Monday night, but the Eras Tour had just begun.
Given the high-profile relationship Jason’s brother, Travis, has with pop superstar Taylor Swift, her ardent fans unexpectedly found themselves celebrating Jason’s career.
The Philadelphia Eagles center reportedly played his final NFL game in the 32-9 Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to multiple reports, Kelce told his teammates he’d be hanging up his cleats.
Swifties quickly paid tribute to him on social media. Two of the tributes used Swift’s “Long Live” song for the montages:
https://twitter.com/LavenderKelce/status/1747346175898845528
https://twitter.com/myafromkc/status/1747283228325519761
“Never in a million years did I think I’d wake up to Swifties posting TikTok edits of Jason Kelce to honor his retirement, set to a Taylor Swift song, but here we are,” someone posted on X.
https://twitter.com/hollyhollssss/status/1747248829328478385
No one expected this. Some of the tributes were especially well done, and quite touching.
https://twitter.com/LavenderKelce/status/1747381413794439338
Someone even posted: “If anybody makes an edit of Jason Kelce’s top moments in the NFL set to Taylor Swift’s “Long Live,” I will sue them for emotional damage.”
If anybody makes an edit of Jason Kelce’s top moments in the NFL set to Taylor Swift’s “Long Live,” I will sue them for emotional damage.
— Erin is in her Eras era (@swiftbunnies) January 16, 2024
Jason Kelce has supported his brother’s relationship with the pop star. He said in an interview that he’s happy for his brother, but admitted she has a different level of stardom.
Nonetheless, those fans have led to many extra eyes and ears on the Kelce family.
Someone posted another edit using “You’re on Your Own, Kid.” Yes, another Swift song.
https://twitter.com/LavenderKelce/status/1747328480562282653
“I don’t know anything about football, but it was amazing to learn Jason Kelce is retiring from a Swiftie video,” wrote one fan.
i don’t know anything about football, but it was amazing to learn Jason Kelce is retiring from a swiftie video edit
— sweater weather time (@zoe0joe) January 17, 2024
Congratulations on a great career, Jason Kelce. Bet you never thought a T-Swift edit would be a part of your career tribute. While some observers, including Tony Dungy, think fans are tired of the Taylor Swift coverage in NFL games, others have said that bringing in an entirely new fan base is good for the sport.
Don’t be surprised to see some of the Swifties’ work appear in a future episode of the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.