Jason Kelce apologized on live television after accidentally referring to the Philadelphia Eagles as “we” several times while analyzing their game against the Chicago Bears on ESPN.
The retired Eagles center was discussing Philadelphia’s first-half performance during Monday Night Countdown on September 28, 2026, when his longtime connection to his former team slipped into his analysis. Fellow ESPN personality Pat McAfee immediately noticed and jokingly called attention to Kelce’s repeated use of “we.” [People] [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Kelce realized the mistake and responded, “Sorry, Bears fans.” [People]
The exchange was mostly humorous, but it highlighted one of the unusual challenges facing former athletes who become broadcasters: learning to discuss teams they spent years playing for as an outside analyst rather than as a member of the organization.
What Did Jason Kelce Say?
The moment occurred at halftime with Chicago leading Philadelphia 10-7.
Kelce was explaining why he remained encouraged by what he had seen from the Eagles offense.
“We played really well offensively,” Kelce said before continuing to discuss Philadelphia’s missed opportunities, running game and quarterback Jalen Hurts. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
McAfee interrupted the analysis by pointing out that Kelce was doing “a lot of ‘we’ talk” when discussing Philadelphia. [Yahoo Sports]
Kelce immediately caught himself and apologized to Chicago supporters.
Why Is Saying “We” Considered A Broadcasting Mistake?
Sports broadcasters are generally expected to analyze teams as outsiders, even when they have strong personal connections to one side.
Referring to a former team as “we” can make an analyst appear partisan because it suggests that he still identifies himself as part of that organization rather than as a neutral commentator.
That does not mean former players are expected to erase their history with a franchise. In fact, television networks frequently hire former players specifically because their firsthand knowledge can improve analysis.
The challenge is maintaining enough distance to cover both teams fairly.
Kelce’s mistake was therefore more of a broadcasting etiquette issue than a serious controversy.
Did Pat McAfee Force Jason Kelce To Apologize?
No.
McAfee pointed out Kelce’s wording, but the exchange was playful rather than confrontational.
After McAfee highlighted the repeated use of “we,” Kelce recognized what he had done and apologized himself. [People]
The moment quickly became a viral example of how difficult it remains for Kelce to separate himself emotionally from the organization where he spent his entire NFL career.
Had Kelce Already Made The Same Mistake Earlier?
Yes.
Before the game, Kelce interviewed Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and briefly referred to Philadelphia as “us” while discussing Jalen Hurts.
He immediately corrected himself, joking that he needed to remember he was now an “unbiased media member.” [Philadelphia Inquirer]
The halftime slip therefore was not the first indication that night that Kelce still instinctively thinks of himself as connected to the Eagles.
Why Is Jason Kelce So Closely Associated With The Eagles?
Kelce spent his entire 13-season NFL career with Philadelphia.
The Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he eventually became one of the most accomplished centers of his generation.
Kelce earned seven Pro Bowl selections, six first-team All-Pro honors and helped Philadelphia defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. [Philadelphia Eagles]
He also became one of the franchise’s most recognizable personalities before retiring after the 2023 season.
Given that background, his instinctive use of “we” was understandable even if it did not fit the normal conventions of national television analysis.
When Did Jason Kelce Retire?
Kelce officially announced his retirement in March 2024 after 13 seasons with Philadelphia.
He never played for another NFL team. [Philadelphia Eagles]
That makes his transition into neutral national broadcasting somewhat unusual compared with former players who moved among several franchises during their careers.
For Kelce, virtually every NFL memory from his playing days is connected to the Eagles.
When Did Jason Kelce Join ESPN?
Kelce joined ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown after retiring.
ESPN announced his addition to the program in 2024, giving him a prominent role alongside the network’s other NFL analysts. [ESPN]
His personality, humor and ability to explain offensive-line play helped make him a natural fit for television.
His connection to Philadelphia, however, has remained obvious whenever the Eagles are involved.
Was Kelce Actually Biased Against The Bears?
There is no indication that Kelce intentionally set out to provide unfair coverage of Chicago.
The issue arose because his language revealed his emotional identification with Philadelphia.
Some viewers criticized the lack of neutrality, while others treated the episode as a harmless and predictable mistake from someone who had spent more than a decade with one team. [Awful Announcing]
Kelce’s immediate apology also showed that he understood why national broadcasters are expected to avoid referring to one team collectively as “we.”
What Happened In The Eagles-Bears Game?
Kelce’s optimism at halftime did not age well.
Chicago went on to defeat Philadelphia 27-7.
Veteran quarterback Case Keenum, making his first start in more than 1,000 days, completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring a rushing touchdown. [People]
The Eagles committed three turnovers, and their offense struggled after halftime.
Jalen Hurts also temporarily left the game for a concussion evaluation after taking a hit near the sideline. Backup Andy Dalton entered and threw an interception. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Why Was Kelce Still Rooting For Philadelphia?
Kelce has never tried to hide his continued affection for the Eagles.
After spending his entire playing career in Philadelphia, he remains close to former teammates, coaches and people inside the organization.
He has previously discussed how difficult it can be to separate those personal relationships from his work as an analyst.
That was especially evident surrounding Super Bowl LIX, when the Eagles played the Kansas City Chiefs and Kelce found himself emotionally connected to both sides because his brother Travis Kelce played for Kansas City. [People]
Has Jason Kelce Apologized On Television Before?
Kelce has addressed several highly publicized moments since becoming a broadcaster, although they were unrelated to this particular mistake.
Most notably, in 2024 he apologized after an altercation with a fan outside Penn State in which Kelce smashed the person’s phone after the individual shouted an offensive remark about Travis Kelce. Kelce later told viewers on ESPN that he regretted responding to hate with hostility. [ESPN]
The Eagles-Bears apology was considerably less serious. It involved nothing more than Kelce momentarily forgetting to speak about his former team in the third person.
Why Did The Moment Go Viral?
The humor came from how natural the mistake appeared.
Kelce did not merely say “we” once and immediately correct himself. He slipped into the language of someone still discussing his own team, prompting McAfee to point it out in real time.
That made the exchange relatable to former athletes and fans who continue to identify strongly with teams long after leaving them.
It also reinforced Kelce’s public image as someone who remains deeply connected to Philadelphia despite now working for a national broadcaster.
Was Jason Kelce Punished By ESPN?
There has been no indication that ESPN disciplined Kelce over the incident.
The exchange was treated on-air as a humorous mistake, and Kelce immediately acknowledged it.
Nothing in the available reporting suggests the apology was ordered by ESPN or that the network regarded the incident as a serious violation.
Why Did Jason Kelce Apologize?
Kelce apologized because he temporarily forgot one of the basic conventions of national sports broadcasting.
Instead of discussing the Eagles as “they,” the longtime Philadelphia center repeatedly called them “we.”
McAfee noticed, Kelce realized how partisan it sounded and offered a quick apology to Bears fans.
It was less a major broadcasting scandal than an amusing reminder that even after retirement, 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles are difficult for Jason Kelce to leave behind.
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