NFL icon Jason Kelce earned rave reviews for his hilarious Monday Night Football debut.

And The U.S. Sun can reveal that Kelce immediately won the respect of ESPN crew members for his efforts both in front and behind the cameras.

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Jason Kelce made his Monday Night Football debut this weekCredit: ESPN

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The NFL icon had his fellow desk members in stitches with his hilarious anticsCredit: ESPN

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Kelce also earned praise from MNF crew for his efforts behind the scenesCredit: ESPN
“Jason did amazing for his first show at MNF, and I can see that he will be a very, very good TV guy for many years to come,” says a well-placed-source.

“He was very comfortable, very good in front of the cameras and very funny and knowledgeable at the same time, which is the best combo you can get when you do TV like that.”

The Philadelphia Eagles legend particularly earned praise for his interactions with crew members behind the scenes.

“Jason came and greeted everyone in the crew, every worker and he was such a nice guy to be around,” says a crew member.

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“He is a normal human being in an industry that often has people being cold and playing a role.

“Jason spent some moments asking questions about production, about the camera angles, about many details and advices to other people, to see how he could fit the best way in the program.

“He didn’t show up with a ‘legend status’ but like a guy who wants to enjoy the experience and be the best he can be, without taking too much attention.”

As well as entertaining the viewers at home, Kelce put the MNF crew members in a positive mood during his time on set.

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“A lot of us are very excited to have him with us, and we are all very excited to work with him and share those times with him,” the source added.

“It’s a blast, and we are looking forward for the rest of the season and the years to come with him, that is for sure.”
Jason Kelce leaves entire ESPN panel in fits of laughter with ManningCast musical audition ‘in thong slippers’
Kelce’s broadcasting career began on Monday ahead of the San Francisco 49ers’ home game against the New York Jets, and the Eagles legend was on top form from the word ‘go.’

After introducing Kelce, Ryan Clark, and Marcus Spears to the show, host Scott Van Pelt quickly poked fun at the newcomer.

“We are thrilled to welcome in an All-NFL selection, future gold jacket wearer, he’s got a podcast that apparently is doing fairly well, and all that said, Jason Kelce is wearing a shirt that he got at the mall because he left his travel bag in the truck,” Van Pelt said.

“Fits my belly now I’ve lost a little bit of weight, but my t**s are still struggling,” Jason jokingly responded, much to Spears’ delight.

“The fact that a Hall of Fame center can shop at Lululemon, that’s big man, that’s a big accomplishment,” Clark replied.

‘It was a short retirement!’

Jason Kelce didn’t stay retired in the NFL for long.

The former Philadelphia Eagles lineman called it quits after the 2023 season.

But he will be part of ESPN’s coverage on Monday Night Football in 2024.

Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown from 6pm-8pm ET every week as well as during the halftime show.

“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” he joked.

“ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports.

“To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment.

“And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”

Jason’s brother and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis also weighed in on his wardrobe error.

“Surprised he bought a new one and didn’t just go shirtless,” he tweeted.

In another hilarious segment, Clark discussed players going to the Super Bowl and never returning, a sore subject for Kelce that he got a good laugh out of.

“There is no team in the history of football that has lost the Super Bowl and didn’t walk off the field saying ‘we will be back’,” Clark said.

“When you lose that game, you feel like you know what it takes to get there.

“You feel like the only reason you didn’t come home with a ring is because you didn’t execute at the level you were supposed to, and you 100 percent feel in your heart that you will be back there again.

“Now the thing is, it don’t always work out like that. Aaron Rodgers is on this field, he beat us in the Super Bowl and never went back.”

While Clark made his statement, Van Pelt and pears both pointed at Kelce.

Kelce notably made the Super Bowl in 2023 where he played against his brother Travis and lost.

He only played one more season and didn’t return to the big game before retiring.

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Kelce revealed he had to buy a shirt from a shopping mall for his MNF debutCredit: Getty
“Why are you pointing at me?” Kelce said.

“You’re up here! You’re up here JK,” Spears replied.

“We criticize them now, I’m safe. Safe space,” Kelce said.

The comment sent his cohosts into fits of laughter after he asked them to go easy on him.

Kelce also left fans in stitches after showing off his dance moves.

The former NFL star gatecrashed a segment with Peyton and Eli Manning during Monday’s broadcast from Levi’s Stadium.

In a season 4 schedule reveal last week, the pair starred in a Broadway-inspired commercial to promote its return for the new NFL season.

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Kelce also showcased a dance in an ‘audition’ for the ManningCastCredit: X @ESPNNFL
And former Eagles center Kelce got in on the act, with the Mannings revealing he “auditioned” for a part on their show.

“We didn’t think it went that great,” Eli joked.

“We’ll let you decide, come check it out right now.”

The camera cut to Kelce dancing in front of a green screen while screaming out “Musicals!”

His wild dance moves sent the ESPN panel into overdrive, with colleagues noticing his “thong slippers.”

“That’s my Night at the Apollo dance right there,” laughed Kelce, as he watched himself jive across the screen.