All in a Day’s Work: Rookie Mistakes Highlight Jason Kelce’s Adventures Around ESPN  

ESPN Rookie Camp is a time for new employees to learn about the culture, mission, and values of ESPN. It is a rite of passage, similar to how real rookie camp is for professional athletes.

On Monday, ESPN’s newest NFL analyst – Super Bowl champion and future Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Jason Kelce – participated in a reimagined version of ESPN Rookie Camp.

BEHIND THE SCENES FROM JASON KELCE’S ESPN ROOKIE DAY SCHEDULE

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10:03 A.M. ET: ON GUARD WATCH

Kelce arrives just in time for his shift at ESPN’s main entrance gate. Right on cue, Countdown host Scott Van Pelt rolls up in his bright red Mini Cooper convertible. Kelce has trouble scanning SVP’s ID badge, and SVP has trouble finding patience for Jason.  

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12:52 P.M.: DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING

Coming off a weekend trip to Miami to see Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” Kelce listens to the singer’s hit song “Karma” through his headphones while helping to beautify the heart of ESPN’s campus. He could be heard singing (off-key), “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me.”

Unfortunately, Kelce’s landscaping skills prove to be subpar – and quite disruptive. His famous dance moves make up for it.

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1:07 P.M.: IRON CHEF, BRISTOL EDITION

As a food enthusiast, Kelce heads into his ESPN Café shift with the utmost confidence. While likely committing a few health code violations (sniffing a condiment bottle is definitely not allowed), Kelce underestimates how difficult it is to fold a deli wrap. Fellow Monday Night Countdown co-star, analyst Marcus “Swagu” Spears, was none too pleased with the unwrapped-wrap.

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1:47 P.M.: YOUR FACE IS MY CANVAS

   

During an already eventful day, Kelce takes his place in the makeup room, “Flawless Face Brush” in hand. But senior NFL Insider and Countdown co-star Adam Schefter knows better than to let a former offensive lineman apply powder to his face – and strongly communicates his feelings.  

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2:32 P.M.: CENTER OF THE ACTION

Kelce, who joined ESPN in May, is now used to being in front of the camera. Still, his camera operating skills are not up-to-par for SportsCenter co-anchors Christine Williamson and Matt Barrie. It didn’t help that his little brother, Travis, kept calling him.

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4:04 P.M.: WHAT DID I MISS?

Kelce is 14 years removed from his initial rookie camp with the Philadelphia Eagles; it is safe to say he was not prepared for ESPN’s Rookie Camp. As he runs into the Monday Night Countdown production meeting out of breath, the rest of his colleagues abruptly end the meeting. Kelce is left alone to shake it off.

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6:50 P.M.: LET’S WATCH THE TAPE

Finally, Kelce is able to show the Countdown crew his rookie workday, enthusiastically disclosing his new hobby to the guys – leaf-blowing.

Rachel Johnson contributed to this post

Monday Night Countdown airs 6-8 p.m. ET as the Monday Night Football pregame and Sunday recap show on ESPN