Jason Kelce made a crude joke about his weight just minutes into his highly anticipated ESPN debut on Monday night.
He was introduced by host Scott Van Pelt, who explained that Kelce had to buy a shirt at the mall for his television appearance tonight because he had lost his travel bag.
“It fits my stomach well now, I’ve lost a little weight, but my boobs still hurt,” Kelce said.
Many fans found it funny, but others felt Kelce should have been warned about his comments on live television.
“Yeah, he needs to get it together,” one fan said on X, apparently in response to Kelce’s start.
Jason Kelce made a shocking joke in his first words as an analyst for ESPN on Monday night
Another said: ‘That’s not a big deal. He should be more careful next time.’
Another viewer thought Jason’s start was brilliant, writing, “Okay Jason Kelce said t**s within minutes of being on Monday Night Football. To be clear, he was talking about himself. Salut King.”
And another viewer who wasn’t offended was his younger brother Travis. He tweeted about his brother: ‘What a natural talent!!’
Van Pelt revealed that Kelce had some last-minute fashion drama before his television debut, telling viewers, “We’re excited to welcome the six-time All-Pro NFL first-team selection and future wearer of the gold jacket, and he has a podcast that’s apparently doing pretty well.
“And with that being said, Jason Kelce is wearing a shirt that he bought at the mall because he left his duffel bag in the truck. He left the duffel bag in the truck.”
Kelce retired in March after 13 seasons in the NFL, where he played for the Philadelphia Eagles
And as Kelce made his joke about his appearance, Van Pelt looked into the camera with a smile and almost shrugged, his arms outstretched.
Travis later commented on his brother’s clothes via X: “Surprised he bought a new one and doesn’t just walk around shirtless.”
But despite a controversial start, Kelce felt right at home at ESPN and fans eventually agreed with Travis calling him a natural.
In early March, Jason announced his retirement from football, prompting television networks to rush to hire him as an analyst.
He played 13 seasons in the NFL and won one Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.