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NFL stars and brothers Travis and Jason Kelce have emerged as staunch supporters of Thursday Night Football, a rarity among players who often express disdain for the mid-week games.
During the latest episode of their “New Heights” podcast, Travis and Jason Kelce discussed the latest NFL rule changes, including the league’s ability of flex-scheduling Thursday Night Football this upcoming season. This allows for better matchups to be featured. The brothers were quick to voice their excitement about the prospect of the new rule.
Jason then dismissed players who criticize Thursday games as merely seeking attention and stated, “Players that are anti–Thursday night games are just looking to make headlines. There’s no f****** chance anybody with half a brain cell is against Thursday night games.”
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Both players expressed their support for Thursday Night Football, even in the latter part of the season when players are fatigued. Jason Kelce noted that playing on Thursdays allowed for valuable rest and recovery time, with the team being able to conduct walkthroughs during the middle of the week instead of intense practice sessions.
Travis Kelce echoed his brother’s sentiments, dismissing the concerns of quarterbacks who argue that the shortened preparation time affects their game performance.
He emphasized that both teams face the same challenges and that quarterbacks may need to put in extra mental effort. However, Travis also acknowledged the additional workload quarterbacks face and recognized their need for more preparation.
Apart from the practical benefits, the Kelce brothers highlighted the entertainment factor. Jason expressed his desire for high-quality football to be showcased on prime-time television, hoping that the flex scheduling would lead to compelling matchups. He shared his enthusiasm as a football fan, relishing the opportunity to watch exciting games on Thursday nights and avoid the disappointment of a lackluster matchup.
“The other reason I’m a fan of the Thursday night games getting flexed is I just like good football being on prime-time TV. I don’t want to turn my Thursday night television on and have to watch a bad game. I like watching good football and Thursday nights is one of the few nights I get to watch football and just enjoy it as a fan. Let’s get some good friggin matchups”
As the NFL prepares for another season of Thursday Night Football, the Kelce brothers’ endorsement serves as a reminder that opinions on the mid-week games are not uniform among players.
With their distinct perspective, Travis and Jason Kelce have added a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing debate surrounding Thursday Night Football.