
Former Eagles center, Jason Kelce is stepping into the late-night television arena with his new show "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" on ESPN, announced during his guest spot on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The show will begin taping on January 3 in Philadelphia and is set to coincide with the concluding week of the NFL's regular season, leading up into the playoffs, as per 6abc.
"I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends," Kelce recounted on Kimmel's show. The program, which Kelce says will feature "legends of the game, friends that I played with, coaches, celebrities," is named in tribute to NFL Films' "They Call it Pro Football," a documentary steeped in the city's sporting lore. NFL Films, instrumental in the show's production, originated in Philadelphia, the former stomping ground for both the film and Kelce's football career.
The show's filming location is Union Transfer on Spring Garden Street and will include live music from the Philadelphia-based band "SNACKTIME", adding a local flavor to the episodes. Kelce's move to late-night TV is part of a broader strategy emphasizing digital consumption, with episodes scheduled for repeat airings on ESPN2, and availability on ESPN+, ESPN's YouTube channel, and the Jason Kelce channel on YouTube, according to information from The Inquirer.
Besides his late-night stint, Kelce is engaged in diverse ventures, from his role as an analyst on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" to co-hosting the podcast "New Heights", alongside his brother, Travis Kelce. Despite recent confrontations with fans over personal boundaries and an incident involving an anti-gay slur directed at his brother, Kelce is upfront about the pressures of being in the public eye, "It’s a little much at times," Kelce admitted, in an interview with The Inquirer.
Kelce's deal with ESPN, inked earlier this year, provides him with flexibility to explore different media formats, including his recent foray into calling games with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Even as he ventures into this new role, his third and final Philly Specials holiday album dropped, continuing a tradition of music-making with former teammates. The varied pursuits of the former NFL player underscore his multifaceted career since leaving the field, as reported by FOX 29.