Jason Kelce Recalls Being ‘Obsessed With Fandom’ During Chiefs Game (Exclusive)

  • Jason Kelce tells PEOPLE about his most unforgettable fan experience and why he can’t wait to connect with fans more.
  • The retired NFL star is spending this season as a fan ambassador for Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard
  • Jason will also begin his next chapter on ESPN’s Monday evening countdown

Jason Kelce is ready to live the NFL fan experience, along with some of the people who do it best.

On September 4, Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard — the Official Hotel Loyalty and Official Hotel Partners of the NFL, respectively — will honor the retired Philadelphia Eagles center in his first season as a fan. Jason has been announced as their first-ever “Fanbassador,” where he will deliver unforgettable football-themed experiences to NFL fans all season long.

Speaking to PEOPLE about what he’s looking forward to as a Fanbassador this season, Jason recalls his most intense fan experience. It was, of course, appearing in upstate New York to cheer on his brother Travis Kelce at the Bills-Kansas City Chiefs divisional playoff game

“It was a fun one,” Jason tells PEOPLE. “Part of it is the Bills Mafia in that tailgate and everything leading up to the game and during the game. It was a whole experience that I’d never really been a part of before. I think there are other fan bases, including one in my hometown, that I’m looking forward to potentially being a part of some of the antics as well.”

He continues: “But Buffalo really… I mean, part of it was the weather, part of it was the fact that it was such a big playoff game for both teams. The atmosphere and everything was just so special that night.”

“Yeah, I think I got a little bit obsessed with the fandom then,” he says, adding with a laugh, “Probably the alcohol too, but we’ll leave it at the fandom.”

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Jason Kelce joins Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard by Marriott as their first-ever ‘Fanbassador.’

Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard by Marriott


As a fanbassador, Jason says he can’t wait to “bring the excitement and the energy.”

“I’m excited about all the things I’ve never really been able to participate in with fans because I’ve been a player all these years, and now I get to be a fan for the first time,” he says.

Starting September 5 and every Thursday throughout the NFL regular season, Kelce will introduce a new Marriott Bonvoy Moment, giving Marriott Bonvoy members the opportunity to redeem their Marriott Bonvoy points for incredible football-themed experiences inspired by and co-hosted by the NFL analyst on ESPN’s new Monday evening countdown.

“I’m working on behalf of Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard Marriott to bring these experiences to life. We’re specifically doing a few that have already been announced. There are 18 of them throughout the season — one per week. But I’m really looking forward to the pool party at a Courtyard in LA for the Eagles-Rams game.”

“Then I might also pick the punishments for losers in a fantasy football league,” he reveals. “I have some good ideas up my sleeve, so I’m looking forward to that as well.”

Jason Kelce joins Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard by Marriott as their first-ever ‘Fanbassador.’

Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard by Marriott


The NFL veteran and father of three has every reason to be looking forward to the upcoming season, even though he won’t be on the line of scrimmage during games like he used to.

“I’m excited. We’ll see how it feels and everything, but I’m excited to get started. We’ve waited so long and prepared for so long. It’s kind of like a training camp at this point, where you’re like, man, can we get to those games already?” he laughs.

“At the same time, I’m a little nervous and curious about what it’s really going to feel like to do something like this. Luckily, I have a really, really good team with ESPN and a crew that’s very experienced. So I’m confident that at the end of the day, those guys are going to look good. So I can’t look that bad, and it’s going to be great.”

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