Kelce

He blocks 300-pound linemen for a living, tears up at bedtime stories, and might be the only NFL player who could pull off being America’s Dad. This is a slow-burning goodbye from a man who’s still not sure if he’s ready to leave.

Trailer for “Kelce”

You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up

• Jason Kelce and his brother Travis became the first siblings ever to face off in a Super Bowl (2023)—what became known as the “Kelce Bowl.”
• Despite already considering retirement, Jason played through the entire 2022-23 season with a baby on the way, his wife due any day during the actual Super Bowl.
• Jason Kelce gave the most legendary Super Bowl parade speech of all time in a Mummer’s costume, comparing Philly’s underdogs to Rocky Balboa and going full hype man for the entire city.

Watch “Kelce”

You can stream “Kelce” on Prime Video.

Ratings:

• My Rating: 91/100
• IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 97/100 (Users); 50/100 (Critics)

Director’s Note: Directed by Don Argott—the same guy behind “Batman & Bill” (which my colleague Rob rated 92/100)—this film hits all the highs and lows of a career nearing the end. Argott balances family, football, and legacy without getting overly sentimental. It’s an intimate, surprisingly funny portrait of one of the NFL’s most grounded stars.

Release Date: September 12, 2023 (Amazon Prime)

My Review of “Kelce”

The Setup

This doc follows Jason Kelce during what could’ve been his final NFL season—the 2022-23 campaign. He’s already a Super Bowl champ, a father of three, and co-host of the “New Heights” podcast. But physically, emotionally, and mentally, he’s running on fumes.

The story is about the grind of staying great, the pressure of deciding when to walk away, and what it means to lead both on and off the field—while your family (and a growing podcast audience) watches you fall apart and rebuild in real time.

More Highlights from the Doc

• The film opens with Kelce asking one of the most brutal questions for an athlete: “Do I still want to do this?” What follows is a raw look at his 12th season in the NFL—battling injuries, prepping for games, and weighing whether he’s already played his last snap.
• We see Jason off the field more than ever—hosting his “New Heights” podcast with brother Travis (which exploded during the season), parenting three daughters, and mentoring younger teammates like Jordan Mailata.
• One of the most moving sections: Jason tears up watching footage from the 2018 Super Bowl season—replaying what it meant to bring the first-ever Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia.
• It’s a rare NFL doc that shows the physical toll so honestly. Jason needs help getting out of bed, wrapping ice around both legs after games, and admits he’s afraid of what long-term damage might come from one more season.
• The doc captures what it’s like to be the heart of a locker room. He’s not just a vet—he’s the guy giving pregame speeches, calling out protection schemes, and still pancaking defenders at 35 years old.

Cameos

• Travis Kelce is everywhere—on Zooms, on the podcast, on the field at the Super Bowl. Their bond is the doc’s emotional spine.
• Kylie Kelce, Jason’s wife, brings warmth and realism—especially in scenes where she’s due to give birth during the Super Bowl and jokes about what would happen if her water breaks in the stands.
• Coach Nick Sirianni and teammates like Jalen Hurts and Lane Johnson show what Jason means to the team, often calling him the true leader of the Eagles.

Lesser-Known Details from the Doc

• Jason Kelce never got a scholarship to Cincinnati—he walked on as a linebacker and converted to center after gaining 40 pounds.
• In one behind-the-scenes moment, he records the “New Heights” podcast from his basement, while juggling dad duties and breaking down game film between takes.
• We get to see Kelce’s infamous Super Bowl parade speech again, but with his own narration—and why that moment, in full Mummers regalia, still defines his relationship to Philly.
• There’s a touching segment where Kelce visits his old college strength coach and reflects on how close he was to quitting football entirely before his breakout year.

Wrap Up

Thanks for reading!

Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc