Eagles fans or Taylor Swift’s Swifties? We asked Jason Kelce

Surprise quiz, hothead. More passionate fandom – Philadelphia Eagles fans or Taylor Swift’s Swifties?

That question was asked to Jason Kelce, one of the best players in Eagles history, who recently became connected to Swift through his younger brother Travis, who is dating the most famous pop star in the world.

“I don’t know, man; Eagles fans are crazy,” Kelce told Nevada Sports Net after a practice round Thursday at the American Century Championship.

“I think they’re different. With the Eagles, there are family ties that span generations. I remember winning the Super Bowl and someone had an urn with them because they had promised this deceased relative that they would be in the parade when the Eagles won their first Super Bowl. You’re dealing with cross-generational fandom. But I think with what Taylor has built, there’s so much fandom just for her and what she’s been able to accomplish as a musician, producer, songwriter and artist. The hats that she’s worn and the perspective and strength and community that she’s provided to women in particular has been remarkable.”

Kelce said he enjoyed attracting a new fan base to football. Swift’s presence at Chiefs games became one of the most talked-about topics in the NFL when Kansas City won two consecutive Super Bowl titles last season.

“The fan demographics have obviously changed for both of us, but especially for Travis,” Kelce said. “Taylor Swift has done an incredible job of building that fan base over the course of her career, and now she’s brought that into the game of football. I think I speak for Travis and I, we’re very honored to welcome new fans into the game. One of the greatest joys I’ve ever had is hearing how fathers and daughters now sit together and have something that connects them when they watch football. To hear that from one of the wildest, loudest, most passionate fan bases in the world was fun.”

Kelce will be competing in the American Century Championship for the first time this week, joining his brother, who regularly competes in the Tahoe Celebrity tournaments. Travis had been trying to get his brother to join for many years, and with Jason now retired, the timing was right for him to try his hand at golf.

“Trav has been trying to get me here for about 5 or 6 years,” Kelce said. “He raves about the event. All the people that come, all the fans, the American Century, everyone does a great job of making it a first-class event. That’s been very evident in my short time here so far.”

A bonus for Kelce participating in the tournament this week is the chance to meet his childhood hero.

“I met him last night,” Kelce said. “Jerome Bettis. He was my favorite player growing up. I wanted to be a running back and just loved watching him play, even though I was born in Cleveland. I even became a makeshift Steelers fan when the Browns left and became the Ravens. In Cleveland, that’s sacrilege.”

Kelce was eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a center, but he also played a few games as a running back in high school.

“I was a wing-T-back,” Kelce said. “Most of the time I was a lead blocker, but every now and then I would get a jet sweep on the other side. I averaged 9.8 yards per run, believe it or not. But minimal runs. That was only when it was wide open and we had the best chances.”

You can watch the full interview with Jason Kelce below.