During a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Jason Kelce shared a hilarious and unexpected adventure that took place in Jacksonville, Florida, where a spontaneous visit to a local ice rink turned into a night he won’t soon forget.
Kelce, who was in town for his work on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” before his brother, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Jacksonville Jaguars, stopped by the Community First Igloo — home of the Jacksonville Icemen and Front Runners TapHouse. He described the experience as “f—— incredible,” marveling at the surreal mix of watching football on TV while beer league hockey games played out on the ice around him.
A man of apparently many talents, Kelce’s adventure on the ice comes two weeks after he joined the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band to play the ESPN “Monday Night Football” theme and the Raven’s fight song.
Jason Kelce spotted at Front Runners TapHouse
After four hours of watching games and what he described as “probably eight beers deep into at this point,” someone approached Kelce with a simple question: “Do you want to play?” His answer: “I actually kinda do.”
Without any gear on hand, Kelce made a quick dash to a local Play It Again Sports, where he picked up gloves, pants, and shin guards. He rented skates, which he claimed was “a big mistake,” saying the left skate was really dull. I couldn’t skate on it at all,” he admitted. “I was fumbling around, falling on the ice … it was pretty s—.”
Despite his lack of experience and inability to skate backwards, something he blames for giving up a “really bad goal,” Kelce was somehow named Player of the Game.
While Jason stepped away from the “New Heights” podcast set to retrieve his Player of the Game prize, Travis couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at his brother.
“Player of the game who couldn’t f—— skate backwards, this is like getting a certificate for participation,” he quipped, admitting he’d never have the guts to say it to Jason’s face.
Moments later, Jason returned, grinning, proudly wearing his prize, screaming in excitement, “Yeah baby, little turban action!” and explained an Indian restaurant sponsored the beer league game, and the prize was an orange turban — a traditional Indian head covering.
“How does it look?” he asked his brother Travis, to which the Chiefs star replied: “Hell yeah.”
Watch the full interaction below (warning: this video contains language that might be offensive to some):
Where is Front Runners TapHouse, the Sports bar Kelce mentioned in ‘New Heights’?
Front Runners TapHouse is a Sports Bar located inside the Community First Igloo — home of the Jacksonville Icemen. Address: 3605 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32207
What is the name of the Ice rink Jason Kelce played beer league hockey mentioned in ‘New Heights’?
The Community First Igloo, Kelce mentions playing at during his Jacksonville visit is home of the Jacksonville Icemen hockey team.
Where is the Community First Igloo?
Address: 3605 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32207
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Football, the saxophone and hockey? Jason Kelce takes to the ice in Jacksonville visit
Reporting by Doris Alvarez Cea, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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