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NFL locker rooms are filled to the brim with truly massive human beings who most people would want to avoid going toe-to-toe with, but it doesn’t sound like longtime NHL forward Claude Giroux is too intimidated by their physical prowess based on an anecdote Jason Kelce shared about their time together in Philadelphia.
Hockey players have a reputation for being a particularly tough breed of athlete, and Claude Giroux is certainly no exception to that rule based on the adversity he’s overcome over the course of an NHL career where he’s played close to 1,200 games.
The 36-year-old veteran currently plays for the Senators but spent the bulk of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, who selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
The Ontario native has devoted his life to the sport of hockey, but based on what Jason Kelce had to say on an episode of the New Heights podcast, a football career wouldn’t have been out of the question thanks to the “feisty” personality the retired tight end became acquainted with when the two men were playing in The City of Brotherly Love.
I think Wayne Gretzky could’ve played any sport tbh @Mintmobile pic.twitter.com/wgVHOfYQRe
— New Heights (@newheightshow) October 21, 2024
During a segment concerning NHL players who could have possibly had what it takes to play in the NFL, Kelce recalled the fearlessness that was on full display when Giroux rubbed shoulders with the members of the Eagles while visiting Lincoln Financial Field, saying, “He used to come in and ask to arm wrestle anybody. So mentality-wise? Yes.”
Giroux is listed as 5’11” and tips the scales at 188 pounds, so while I have a hard time imagining he’d actually be able to take on someone like Kelce (who’s 6’3″ and weighed in at close to 300 pounds during his career), I can’t help but respect that kind of confidence.