On September 25, 2024, ESPN's First Take saw a heated discussion unfold when radio personality Chris "Mad Dog" Russo shared a bold and somewhat controversial opinion about former Philadelphia Eagles center, Jason Kelce. Kelce, who retired earlier this year after a 13-season career, has recently made waves as a sports media personality. However, Russo made it clear he's not a fan of Kelce's frequent appearances on ESPN.
In his signature fiery style, Russo kicked off his critique, saying, "You’re gonna get mad at me, but I’m gonna say it anyway... I think we've seen plenty of Jason Kelce in the last few weeks." Russo expressed frustration over the 36-year-old's increasing visibility, referencing his guest commentary during the Eagles' September 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons, where Kelce joined legendary broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the booth.
Despite Russo’s dissatisfaction, his First Take co-hosts were quick to jump to Kelce’s defense. Stephen A. Smith, a well-known figure in the sports world, voiced his support for the former Eagle, remarking, "I happen to like Jason Kelce." He praised Kelce’s charisma and contributions to the network, adding, "He’s a new star... I’m very proud of him."
Host Molly Qerim chimed in, stating, "We all do," signaling general agreement within the ESPN community. Former NFL player Jeff Saturday also joined the fray, calling Russo out directly by labeling him "a hater."
The discussion spilled onto social media, where fans of Kelce came to his defense in droves. On X (formerly Twitter), many criticized Russo’s remarks. One user stated, "Jason is a reason for me to tune in. You are all negative haters." Another echoed similar sentiments, writing, "You can spot a hater a mile away." Some fans even turned the tables on Russo, accusing him of being envious of Kelce's growing success. "Bro jealous he’s been in the same spot for the last 25 years," one fan fired back.
While Russo did have some supporters who agreed with his take, many others saw it as an unnecessary jab, with one user quipping, "We’re tired of seeing you [Russo]." Others remarked on the irony, with one stating, "That's funny because I've had enough of seeing Mad Dog Russo on ESPN."
Despite the mixed reactions, it appears Jason Kelce is here to stay, with the former NFL star set to appear regularly on Monday Night Countdown throughout the season, and feature in ESPN’s coverage of key playoff games.
Kelce’s transition from the field to the broadcast booth has been swift, but his popularity with fans and colleagues alike suggests he’s making a successful move into sports media, despite the detractors.
Next up for the Kelce brothers: Jason’s light-hearted ribbing of his younger brother Travis over his "guilty pleasure" TV show choice continues to entertain their growing fanbase.
