The lookalike contest craze is nothing new, but it’s definitely seen a fun resurgence on social media. From Harry Styles impersonators to chaotic Jeremy Allen White tributes, these contests have brought out some truly bizarre and hilarious moments. But when Jason Kelce, the larger-than-life former NFL star and Philadelphia sports hero, found himself at the center of his own lookalike contest, his reaction was the perfect mix of humor and humility.
Kelce was watching footage of the contest, which took place at Rittenhouse Square Park in Philadelphia, when host Scott Van Pelt threw to a reel of contestants that were, in Kelce’s words, “just overweight white guys with beards.” He leaned back and said with a smirk, “Newsflash! Any overweight white guy with a beard looks just like me.” It was a hilarious take, highlighting how easy it was for fans to channel the Philly icon’s unmistakable look.
But then, Kelce spotted one contestant that made him pause: a bearded guy in a Fair Isle zip-up sweater who looked eerily similar. “That guy is spot on,” Kelce joked, adding, “That’s my new profile picture.” And in a true Kelce move, he actually changed his social media picture to the lookalike’s image, proving that the fun was far from over.
When the winner of the contest was crowned, a man in a maroon sweater, Kelce didn’t hold back. He joked that the guy in the Fair Isle sweater was actually him and that he had lost to someone else. “I came in second,” he quipped, much to the amusement of the crowd and Van Pelt.
The lookalike contest was a chaotic and hilarious tribute to Kelce’s legacy, and the contestants really leaned into the Philly spirit with moments like shirt-ripping (a nod to his famous shirtless Super Bowl parade) and beer can-smashing (in true Philly fashion). It was pure chaos and comedy that quickly went viral across social media.
The fun didn’t stop there. Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown even jumped in, posting a Santa Claus photo and joking, “You’re telling me this isn’t Jason Kelce??” It was all part of the celebration of Kelce’s legacy and the Philadelphia energy that made the event one for the books.
In the end, Kelce was both amused and slightly disheartened by the realization that “thousands of people” apparently look just like him. But, honestly, given how beloved he is, it’s a testament to the kind of impact Kelce has had on the Philly sports scene—one that’s impossible to replicate.