How Jason Kelce built his personal brand and became a Philly legend

Jason Kelce speaks to the crowd during the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory parade in 2018. AP Photo/Alex Brandon^[8]

‘An underdog is a hungry dog!’

An athlete’s personal brand is how the public perceives them based on their actions, expertise and achievements. Athletes with strong personal brands can earn higher salaries and sign bigger endorsement deals^[9]. It can also help maintain fans’ support^[10] for the athlete – or their team – even if the athlete’s on-field performance declines.

The key to defining an athlete’s – or any individual’s – brand identity is to identify some key words that capture their strengths. In Kelce’s case, we’d argue that “determination,” “grit” and “hard-working” are all terms that reflect his appeal.

Fans will recall Kelce’s unscripted speech on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2018 after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Kelce, regaled in a full Mummers costume^[11], an elaborate outfit used in Philadelphia’s annual New Year’s Day folk parade, celebrated the team’s underdog status.

“We were a bunch of underdogs. And you know what an underdog is? It’s a hungry dog,” he said. “And that’s why we’re the first team in Eagles history to hold that freaking trophy.” The crowd roared.

Kelce has demonstrated grit since his early football career, when he alternated positions a few times before finding the right fit. He had started his college football career as a walk-on running back at the University of Cincinnati^[12] before switching to left guard^[13] and finally to center^[14]. His perseverance paid off when, after being drafted in the sixth round by the Eagles in 2011^[15], he reportedly became the first rookie in Eagles history^[16] to start all 16 games at center.

In his 2024 retirement speech^[17], Kelce reminisced about his early days at Cincinnati.

“It became apparent immediately that walk-ons would have to fight harder for their opportunities than the rest of the team,” he said. “I had … no investment from the team or the coaches. I’d have to earn everything, and that’s good, because I had no clue what hard work was yet.”

This early moment of clarity dovetails directly into Kelce’s underdog mentality, which has served as the baseline for his personal brand of authenticity throughout his career.

Jason Kelce made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia in April 2024. WWE/Getty Images^[18]

Personal values

Personal values are another essential component of a personal brand. For Kelce, those appear to be a commitment to family, community and charitable causes.

He frequently posts social media photos relaxing with his wife^[19] and three young daughters^[20], and he praised his parents^[21] in his emotional retirement speech^[22]. He co-hosts his “New Heights” podcast^[23] with his brother, Travis Kelce, an All-Pro tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs^[24] who’s also romantically involved with Taylor Swift^[25]. The brothers intertwine football and family throughout each recording and have garnered over 2 million subscribers on YouTube alone.

Kelce and his mother, Donna, cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 Super Bowl. Rob Carr/Getty Images^[26]

Jason Kelce is also fiercely loyal to both Cleveland Heights, his hometown in Ohio^[27], and his adopted home of Philadelphia.

In October 2022 he, started the (Be)Philly Foundation^[28], which provides financial assistance and mentors to Philly youth. Kelce has also donated time and money to the Eagles Autism Foundation^[29], most notably by creating and hosting the raucous annual Team 62 Fundraiser^[30] – named for the No. 62 jersey he wore with the Eagles – at the Jersey Shore. And he partnered with local authorities in his suburban Philadelphia community to sponsor the adoption of a Labrador retriever^[31] for the Haverford Township Police Department.

Kelce is authentic, transparent and straightforward in his personal branding, which focuses on his being an elite athlete and involved family man. With this powerful brand, we believe he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of another Philly legend, Charles Barkley^[32], who has remained a pop culture icon^[33] nearly 25 years after he hung up his basketball jersey.

Authors: Amy Lavin, Associate Professor of Practice, Fox School of Business and Management, Temple University

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-jason-kelce-built-his-personal-brand-and-became-a-philly-legend-226590

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