Jason Kelce’s place in Cincinnati athletics history is about to get another permanent marker.
The University of Cincinnati announced Thursday that the former Bearcats football standout has been chosen for induction into the James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 50th Anniversary Class of 2026.
Kelce is the last member named to the class, which is presented by Performance Automotive and also features Bob Huggins, Loretta Blaut, Wayne Mason, Mike Kinnett, Christy Hoffman and Connor Barwin. Longtime athletic trainer Bob Mangine will receive the Bob Goin Award for distinguished service.
The induction is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, inside Fifth Third Arena, the night before Cincinnati’s 100th Homecoming football game against Texas Tech.
Ticket sales will open first to season ticket holders, UCATS members and C-Club members during a one-week window beginning Monday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. and running through Sunday, Aug. 23, at 11:59 p.m. Those eligible members will get an email Monday morning with the purchase link.
Tickets then go on sale to the general public on Monday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. All proceeds will go to Cincinnati Athletics’ Impact Fund.
Seating will be first come, first served when doors open at 6 p.m.
Kelce’s UC career ran from 2006 through 2010, and it came with a notable shift in position and role. He began as a walk-on linebacker, earned the Scout Team Defensive MVP in 2006, then moved to the offensive line and became a three-year starter from 2008 to 2010.
Along the way, he picked up All-BIG EAST honors twice and played under Mark Dantonio, Brian Kelly and Butch Jones. He was part of back-to-back conference championships and helped Cincinnati reach the 2008 Orange Bowl and 2009 Sugar Bowl.
His pro career only added to the résumé. Kelce retired in 2024 after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. He won Super Bowl LII in 2018 and played in Super Bowl LVII in 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother, Travis.
Kelce also owns the Eagles’ record for consecutive regular-season starts at 156, and his six All-Pro selections are tied with Reggie White and Chuck Bednarik for the most in franchise history. He is widely believed to be one of the greatest centers in NFL history.
Off the field, Kelce and Travis host the “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce ” podcast, which iHeartPodcast named Podcast of the Year in 2024 and which regularly sits atop the Apple and Spotify charts. Kelce is also part of ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown pregame show.
Jason and his wife, Kylie, also continue to host Team 62 for the Eagles Autism Foundation, raising $3.69 million over six years, including $1.26 million at the fundraiser in 2026.
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