Stephen A. Smith exposes his cluelessness on ESPN

On December 9, 2024, amidst the build-up to the Monday Night Football game between the Cowboys and the Bengals, Jason Kelce, a former center for the Philadelphia Eagles, made a controversial joke while appearing on ESPN's pregame show. Kelce, who has transitioned to broadcasting since retiring from the NFL in March, was in Dallas when he commented on the city after another panelist, Mina Kimes, referenced Springfield as 'The Armpit of America's B***-Crack'. As the camera focused on AT&T Stadium, Kelce lightheartedly declared Dallas to be 'the b**hole and armpit of America.' This sparked an immediate reaction from his fellow panelists, who attempted to downplay his remark. Co-hosts, including former NFL player Marcus Spears, appeared visibly uncomfortable with the comment, leading to an awkward moment on-air. Kelce later insisted it was merely a joke but faced backlash for the comment, which many interpret as an affront to Cowboys fans. This incident follows Kelce's public appearances leading up to the game, where he embraced his Eagles fandom through quirky stunts, including driving a golf cart designed to resemble an Eagles helmet in Philadelphia streets. Kelce's comment not only drew laughter but also criticism, further highlighting the ongoing rivalry between Eagles and Cowboys supporters. The fallout from this incident exemplifies the sensitive nature of sports commentary, where personal affiliations and humor can easily cross into contentious territory, especially given the fierce rivalry between Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFL. This incident has implications for Kelce's burgeoning broadcasting career, as he must navigate the line between humor and offense in a media landscape that is increasingly polarized.