NEED TO KNOW
Jason Kelce is getting straight to the point about his recent transformation
Appearing on camera in a teaser for the Aug. 13 episode of the New Heights podcast featuring Taylor Swift, the former athlete revealed his dark brunette facial hair
Jason, who was previously recognized for his gray facial hair, defended his grooming choice on X in response to fellow beard-wearer Ryan Fitzpatrick’s comment about feeling “betrayed” by the change
Jason Kelce stands by his decision to sack one of his signature looks.
When the former Philadelphia Eagles star and his brother, Travis Kelce, announced Taylor Swift as their next New Heights guest, he also revealed a major change to his appearance.
In a teaser clip for the Aug. 13 episode, the dad of four and podcaster, 37, rocked dark brown facial hair close to his natural hair color. The transformation marked a noticeable departure from his formerly gray facial hair that he’s been seen wearing on and off the football field for years.
Although he didn’t address the change in the video, which was released on Aug. 12, he took to X minutes later to defend his decision after former NFL quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has also made his graying blonde beard his signature look, wrote that he felt “betrayed” by his comrade.
In response, Kelce wrote: “I promise the dye was for a good reason, don’t hate me.” Although, he didn’t go into further specifics about why he finally took the plunge.
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This wouldn’t be the first time the athlete has put attention on the hair on his body.
In June, another bushy region was put up for discussion after Kelce stripped down to a pair of Speedos at the Ocean Drive event hosted to raise money for the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Looking back on the moment in a July 2 episode of New Heights, Kelce revealed that the moment started because of weight-related bet with his pal Beau Allen, which he eventually lost.
“The bet was loser has to wear a Speedo at this Ocean Drive event. And for those of you that remember, I didn’t think that was enough. Smart by me. So, we talked about maybe adding something else to it” — getting a bikini wax.
Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty
Jason Kelce at the Disney 2025 Upfront event on May 13, 2025
“Thank God I did because this thing would have looked so much worse if I wasn’t waxed,” Kelce quipped. “I mean, it would have been even more gross.”
The conversation around hair has not been exclusive to just one Kelce sibling, though, because while Jason is often talked about for his facial fuzz, Travis, 35, has been most talked about for his locks.
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After his fade went viral during the 2023-24 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs star adopted a longer and wavier hairstyle so lush (well, at least it was before he chopped it into a buzz cut in July), his hairstylist had to shut down rumors about the tight end having hair plugs. “Nah, not at all, man,” barber Vince Garcia told Us Weekly when asked about the transplant rumors. “That’s a full head of hair right there.”
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