Even though Jason Kelce is no longer an NFL player, one sports analyst still has a lot to say about the former center for the Eagles.
Sports radio host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo gave his opinion on Kelce, who retired earlier this year after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, on Wednesday, September 25, on ESPN’s First Take.
“You’re gonna get mad at me. I’m gonna say it anyway because I feel like it. I’m in one of those moods,” Russo said before boldly declaring, “I think we’ve seen plenty of Jason Kelce in the last few weeks.”
The 36-year-old Kelce has been incredibly busy this season, appearing in several advertisements and making his Monday Night Countdown debut on ESPN earlier this month. He has also appeared on a number of other shows. However, it doesn’t seem like everyone at the network is content with it.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo has had enough of seeing Jason Kelce on ESPN:
"They put him in the booth in the Philadelphia game against Atlanta!"
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 26, 2024
During the outburst, Russo, who was obviously agitated, said, “They put him in the booth in the Philadelphia game against Atlanta!” referring to the Eagles’ game on September 16 against the Falcons, in which Kelce joined pundits Troy Aikman and Joe Buck in the broadcast booth.
However, while Russo had some reservations about Kelce’s involvement, his ESPN colleagues did not share the same sentiments. During the conversation, Stephen A. Smith expressed his disagreement with Russo by saying, “I happen to like Jason Kelce.”
First Take host Molly Qerim also added, “We all do.”
“He’s a new star to the network,” Smith chimed in again. “I’m very proud of him. I’m happy to see him. I ain’t got no problems with that.”
Also present for the heated conversation was Jeff Saturday, who told Russo, “You’re a hater.”
Online supporters of Kelce appeared to concur as well, with a number of people defending Travis Kelce’s elder brother on social media.
“Jason is a reason for me to tune in. You are all negative haters,” one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote in response to Russo’s criticism.
Another person added, “You can spot a hater a mile away.”
While some users supported Russo’s position—fans who contended that “Someone had to say it”—others believed Russo might have been motivated by “jealousy.”
“Bro jealous he’s been in the same spot for the last 25 years,” one fan fired back at Russo, telling him, “We’re tired of seeing you.”
“thats funny bc ive had enough of seeing Mad Dog Russo on ESPN,” another person quipped.
Moreover, Kelce is undoubtedly here to stay, whether Russo likes it or not. He is scheduled to appear on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown every week during the regular season, as well as on ESPN for the NFL Conference Championship weekend, the Super Wild Card and Divisional Round playoff games, and more.
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