Former NFL star Jason Kelce has admitted he’s nervous about his upcoming five-episode late-night show on ESPN, which premieres this weekend.
Kelce, 37, retired from the NFL last year following 13 years at the Philadelphia Eagles, where he won one Super Bowl, and appeared in another against his younger brother Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs. The ex-center immediately moved into broadcasting and is part of a star-studded team on ESPN.
He’s ready to take his TV career to the next level, with the NFL and ESPN producing a five-episode season of “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce,” which starts this Saturday. According to Action News, viewers can expect many exciting guests, with the likes of NBA legend Charles Barkley, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger, and rapper Dave Burd, also known as Lil Dicky, all expected to feature.
However, in an interview with PEOPLE, Kelce has admitted he’s a little apprehensive about his new late-night comedy show. “It’s definitely nerve-wracking, but also exciting,” he said. The show aims to provide a relaxed setting, creating a bridge between guests and fans attending the show and between those watching from home.
“We have a bunch of really funny writers who are going to make the show funny, because I certainly can’t,” Kelce joked. Kelce’s wife, Kylie Kelce, will also feature on the show as an announcer.
“I was just talking about it with Kylie, like, ‘What can I do that’s something that I want to do and is fun?’ and I think when you’re talking to most guys, the thing almost everybody says they miss the most is being around the guys, being around the players and shooting the crap with the boys,” Kelce continued.
Retirement has also allowed Kelce to enjoy interacting with fans more. He’s enjoyed tailgates at various NFL games since stepping away and has often provided highlight-reel moments, such as taking his shirt off during the Chiefs’ win over the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs last year.
“In some ways, I wish I wasn’t as big of a name, so I could even be more normal with fans,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to get to be appreciative of tailgates, and have that experience, and just be out and about, seeing the game from a different point of view.
“And that’s difficult. But nonetheless, it’s been awesome interacting with fans more.
“There’s something about sharing food that is just, I think synonymous with people from the stone ages. So I think that for me it’s just been fun to be and see this side of the game, which I’ve been away from for so long.”
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