Ex-NFL Star Jason Kelce Plays Amateur Rugby in London — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Jason Kelce played a 30-minute friendly for Old Streetonians against Hackney RFC on Wednesday at Hackney Marshes, with former Eagles teammate Beau Allen also joining; Kelce is in London ahead of Sunday's Eagles-Jaguars NFL game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (14:30 BST).
- Hackney prop Dave Lewis told BBC Sport Kelce initially picked up the ball from the back of a ruck and was penalized, but after Lewis tackled him, Kelce later 'absolutely smashed' him back, running through him — adding, 'I don't think he has an ego.'
- Hackney full-back Peter Scott joked players can now say they played 'against Taylor Swift's brother-in-law,' and said Kelce was deployed at number 8, adapting quickly despite initially carrying the ball and scrumming incorrectly.
- Former Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler gave Kelce a rugby lesson ahead of the match, and Kelce is learning new sports for his YouTube channel as part of a content series.
- Old Street chairman Will Gilgrass said Kelce and Allen were 'very good value in the pub afterwards,' putting their cards behind the bar, chatting with players for hours, and completing the club's initiation by singing a song and downing a pint.
- Kelce played 13 seasons as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles, was part of the 2018 Super Bowl LII winning side, earned seven Pro Bowl selections, and retired in 2024; he is the older brother of three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce.
Why it matters: The crossover is a content play, not a competitive one — Kelce is in London for his media role around the Eagles-Jaguars game and used the trip to film rugby content for his YouTube channel, with Hackney RFC and Old Streetonians getting a viral moment and Kelce getting cross-sport footage for his audience.
Ask SkimNews
