Jason Kelce has always been known for his unconventional approach to football and life.
Whether it’s celebrating shirtless in freezing weather or admitting he doesn’t regularly wash his feet, the former Philadelphia Eagles center does things his way. Now, he has revealed yet another quirk-his refusal to stretch during Super Bowl halftime.
During the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce discussed the extended Super Bowl halftime break and how teams typically use the extra time for additional preparation, including stretching routines.
While he acknowledged the importance of reviewing the game plan, he made it clear that he had no interest in stretching.
“I don’t know if I’m just so anti-organized have me do anything on game day. They are like we need to stretch at this and do this. It’s ten more minutes. I’m pretty sure I’m not getting cold down. I’m going to eat my un-crustables and get my mind right for the 2nd half. I don’t need you to tell me to stretch my quads.”
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Rather than focusing on stretching, Kelce preferred to use the extra time to hydrate, grab a snack, and mentally prepare for the second half. He believes discussing plays and making tactical adjustments is far more beneficial than engaging in pre-planned stretching sessions.
Kelce’s Skepticism Toward Stretching
Beyond the Super Bowl, Kelce admitted that he is generally against stretching, calling it overrated. He recalled attempting yoga twice in his career, hoping to improve flexibility and mobility, but both times ended with him pulling a muscle.
Despite his unconventional stance, his durability on the field speaks for itself. He proudly reminded listeners that he holds the Eagles‘ franchise record for most consecutive starts, suggesting that his anti-stretching philosophy hasn’t hurt his performance.
Travis Kelce’s More Balanced Approach to Halftime Routines
Unlike Jason, Travis Kelce has played in more Super Bowls and has a slightly different perspective on halftime preparation.
While he agrees that players tend to overthink the 15-minute break, he acknowledges that structured routines can be helpful, particularly for rookies or those experiencing the Super Bowl for the first time.
“In the grand scheme of things, people do like structure. I think it helps guys in their first couple of years or at least it did in my first Super Bowl to just relax, and understand. They gave me something to do but did I stretch next time? No. I understood what I’m capable of doing. I didn’t do a lot of stuff I did my first year.”
By his second Super Bowl appearance, Travis had abandoned the formal halftime routine. Instead, he focused on understanding his body and sticking to what worked best for him.
Now, as a veteran and leader, he emphasizes mental preparation and making sure younger players stay calm and composed.
Mental Preparation Over Physical Routines
Both Jason and Travis Kelce agree that mental preparation is more critical than stretching when it comes to Super Bowl success.
While Jason dismisses structured halftime routines altogether, Travis believes players should find what works best for them.
Ultimately, whether it’s stretching or simply taking a moment to reset, the key is ensuring that every player is prepared for the intensity of the second half.
As Travis Kelce put it, players need to be “equipped to deal with anything that comes at you, and if you are not, lean on your teammates for support.”
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