Jason Kelce couldn’t help but get caught up in “the magic” of Bills Mafia.
The Eagles center — who stole the spotlight for going shirtless in a suite at the Bills-Chiefs Divisional-Round game Sunday — recalled his shenanigans while visiting Buffalo to cheer on his little brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
“It was incredible,” Jason said during the latest installment of his and Travis’ “New Heights” podcast. “I mean, honestly, one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had from start to finish.”
That included chugging random alcohol out of a bowling ball at a Bills tailgate — and downing plenty of beer before, during and after the game at Highmark Stadium.
“Dog gone man, it was an electric atmosphere with the Bills Mafia,” he said, adding at one point that he “was very much incorporated into a lot of Bills Mafia traditions” by Buffalo faithful.
“No idea what that liquor was,” Jason said. “I didn’t ask any questions … I did have to clarify how to drink this.”
Jason explained that he “wanted the full experience” of Bills Mafia, which meant he had to take his shirt off at some point during the day.
The All-Pro center reached out to former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick — who helped grow the shirtless tradition in Buffalo — and former Bills center Eric Wood to find out how to approach the day.
The day started with meeting Wood at the Big Tree Inn — a bar near the stadium — before tailgating.
“I wanted to go outside earlier and take my shirt off but I feel like taking your shirt off is a Buffalo Bills thing,” he said, noting that he did not jump through any tables, which is a Bills Mafia tradition.
“I was hoping I was going to get an opportunity to go through a table but it didn’t happen. No tables … I don’t know what I was expecting but everyone was beyond excited to be there and enjoy some good football.”
When Jason got to the private suite — where Travis’ girlfriend Taylor Swift was present — he found his opportunity to rip his shirt off in front of Bills Mafia.
“Here’s what happened. I wanted to take my shirt off at the tailgate, but we got there late so when I got to the box I noticed, hey, I could jump out of this box and then I’ll be outside — so if I could take my shirt off out here then I’ll be part of the Buffalo Bills pageantry and I got caught up in the magic of Bills Mafia,” he said.
“It is electric … I was like, I gotta have my shirt off at some point. But I couldn’t take it off in the box, who does that? The box is heated. You’re not really doing it then.
“This is how my mind works after 40 Miller Lites … I’ll tell you what, when I jumped out of that box I forgot that I had been dealing with an MCL sprain because the moment I landed my foot and my right knee twisted and luckily it’s good. Forgot that knee was a little loose.”
Jason admitted that Kylie wasn’t too pleased with his shirtless roar outside of the suite.
“Not gonna lie, I gave Kylie a heads up the moment we got into the suite. I said, ‘I’m jumping out there and taking my shirt off,’ and she said, ‘Jason, don’t you dare!’” he recalled.
“I’m not asking for permission, I’m doing this,” he joked. “She was already telling me to be on my best behavior because we were meeting Taylor. So, she was like, ‘Be on your best behavior,’ and I was like ‘Kylie, the first day I met you I was blacked out drunk and fell asleep on the bar.’
“This is part of the Jason Kelce charm. I want to make the best first impression, this is my chance.”
Travis chimed in: “Tay said she absolutely loved you.”
Jason explained that letting loose at the Bills-Chiefs game was a fun escape from a tough end to his season, when the Eagles were routed by the the Buccaneers, 32-9, in the wild-card round last Monday.
That followed a 1-6 run to end the season after a hot 10-1 start for the Eagles.
“We just got done with obviously a grueling season in Philly, mentally and physically, and you’re just worn out and you go on that type of loss streak … it wears on you,” Jason said.
The Super Bowl champ is reportedly set to retire afrer spending his entire career with Philadelphia.
Jason clarified on a previous episode of “New Heights” that he will announce his future plans at the right time and after fully processing the loss.
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