Paris — Jason Kelce, regarded as one of the NFL’s great centres, took in the hockey on the opening weekend of the Paris Olympics, sporting a classic blue beret in Colombes.
The Kelces – Jason’s wife Kylie used to play field hockey growing up – came out to support the US in their opening defeat to Argentina.
And the man – his brother Travis is boyfriend of Taylor Swift – who played his entire American football career with the Philadelphia Eagles seemed enthralled by the action.
“They played hard, they’re a young team, and they played arguably the best team in the world,” remarked Jason. “They had their moments. They played them hard. And the score, in my opinion, doesn’t reflect how close it was for a lot of it.
“Argentina just did a really good job of capitalising their opportunities. And their goalie, I mean, oh my gosh, diving and saving all over the place.It was a fun game to watch, and I’m proud of the girls.”
On wearing a French beret, he added: “We’re in France, in Paris, and I love assimilating to different cultures and whatnot. I know this is about as stereotypical as you can get… I’ve already had a bunch of croissants and baguettes too, I just didn’t carry them with me to the game.
“I’m definitely taking in the full experience. And it was raining, I needed something to cover my head. I bought it at a souvenir shop.”
With the NFL far more popular than the college status heights of hockey in the US, Jason said that the sport was getting publicity, although he lives in a state where hockey has roots.
He said: “I’m probably biased because I live in Pennsylvania, and there’s so many girls from the Pennsylvania area on this team, so we’re getting a lot of that publicity fed to us.
“The sport has been really popular over the last year. Field hockey in general feels like it’s having a moment in the United States.
“They are a really young team, and this team has got a lot of energy, so I think if they just keep doing what they’re doing, playing hard, I think that everyone at home will be proud of them.”
