Retired NFL star Jason Kelce has shared his unique perspective on parenting, revealing his unwavering belief in scaring kids on Halloween as a “good thing” to do. Alongside his wife Kylie Kelce, the proud dad of four offers a glimpse into their festive family life, from coordinating Frozen-themed costumes to humorous household rules, embodying a relatable and chaotic approach to raising their daughters.
As the spooky season approaches, former Philadelphia Eagles football player Jason Kelce is not shying away from sharing his unconventional, yet deeply held, parenting philosophy when it comes to Halloween. The recently retired NFL star, known for his charismatic personality and dedication to family, firmly believes that giving kids a good fright is an “important” and “good thing to do these days.” This candid revelation emerged during a recent episode of the popular New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Travis Kelce.
The Philosophy of the Friendly Fright
Jason Kelce, a devoted father to four daughters—Wyatt (6), Elliotte (4), Bennett (2), and Finnley (6 months)—explained that his approach to Halloween is heavily influenced by his own father, Ed Kelce. “Dad just likes scaring people. He does,” Jason shared on the podcast. He then added his personal endorsement, stating, “And as a current dad, I concur. Like, scaring kids is important. I firmly believe that.”
While his brother Travis playfully questioned if this involved “making a kid cry,” Jason clarified his intent, suggesting it’s more about a “little” jolt of fear. This sentiment resonates with many parents who find joy in harmless pranks and playful scares during the holiday. As he further elaborated on his wife Kylie Kelce’s ‘Not Gonna Lie’ podcast, scaring his daughters is one of his “great pleasures in life,” an activity he tries to do “as often as possible.”
Kelce also offered a surprisingly philosophical take on the practice, emphasizing the importance of experiencing fear. “It’s good to be scared sometimes,” he mused, “it’s a good emotion to feel, and as human beings in this civilized society that we live in, we don’t really get scared very often.” He even admitted to a recent instance where Kylie successfully turned the tables on him, proving that a good jump scare can indeed “make you feel alive.” This playful dynamic within the Kelce household showcases a lighthearted approach to parenting that fans adore, with many echoing his sentiments about the art of the harmless dad scare, as noted by People.com.
Halloween Costumes: A Dad’s Delight (or Duty)
Beyond the joy of jump scares, Jason Kelce’s Halloween celebrations have evolved significantly since becoming a father. He now dedicates his costume choices to whatever his daughters desire, a common parental rite of passage. “For me, my costumes now are just essentially what my kids wanna wear,” he confessed. This year, the family is embracing a Frozen theme.
Jason will transform into Kristoff, while his daughters Ellie, Wyatt, and Benny will all embody Elsa. His wife Kylie’s costume, which she hinted at on her podcast as “fantastic,” will be Olaf, completing the whimsical ensemble. This relatable shift from individual preference to family coordination strikes a chord with many parents, as Jason humorously noted, “I feel like in your 30s, once you start having kids, like, you don’t even get to choose anymore. You get lumped in with your kids.”
Life as a Girl Dad: From Toughness to Tenderness
Since announcing his retirement from the NFL in March 2024, Jason Kelce’s public persona has increasingly highlighted his role as a devoted “girl dad.” He frequently discusses the joys and challenges of raising his four daughters, calling it the “biggest highlight” of his life. His initial resolve to raise them “tough” and “hard” quickly softened the moment each daughter entered the world. “The moment she came out, I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s not going to work,'” he candidly shared in a May 2023 interview with People.
This tender side of Jason also comes with certain household rules, as revealed on Kylie’s ‘Not Gonna Lie’ podcast. One particular point of contention for Jason is “lipic,” the girls’ affectionate term for lipstick. He is “vehemently against” his young daughters using makeup. While Kylie generally agrees with the sentiment, she humorously noted Bennett’s ingenuity in finding substitutes.
“Bennett’s fascination with lipic makes it so that anything in the house that is remotely lipic shaped, paint sticks — nontoxic, chill out — glue sticks — also nontoxic, chill out — end up slowly migrating towards her lips to be put on as lipic,” Kylie recounted, illustrating the endless creativity of young children. This insight into their daily life offers fans a humorous and authentic look at the Kelce family dynamics, further explored on the ‘Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce’ podcast, available on platforms like Apple Podcasts.
Kylie Kelce’s Playful Rivalries and the Importance of Respect
The Kelce family’s approach to Halloween extends beyond costumes and scares to include playful rivalries, particularly in the realm of football. During an episode of the New Heights podcast, Kylie Kelce issued a lighthearted yet firm warning to Dallas Cowboys fans: “If you’re a Cowboys fan, don’t come to my door… I’m serious.” Jason playfully joined in, suggesting a “no Cowboys allowed” sign. This humorous banter highlights the passionate nature of sports fandom but also carries a deeper message.
Kylie emphasized the importance of teaching children about respect and sportsmanship, even when supporting rival teams. She suggested that while a child in a Cowboys jersey might still receive candy, they might also get “a little bit of an education.” This playful yet pointed stance from the Kelces serves as a valuable reminder for parents to instill strong values in their children, encouraging kindness and respect for others, regardless of team loyalties or other differences, especially during community events like Halloween.
