We called it "beautifully unhinged'' and of course we meant it as a compliment.
Retired NFL All-Pro center Jason Kelce has fully leaned into to his fun-loving personality in retirement, most recently in name of charity. The Philadelphia Eagles icon recently staged his annual fundraising party in Sea Isle City creating his - as we again have called it - "organized chaos with a heart of gold.''
The Eagles Autism Foundation has benefited enormously from this philosophy, with the Shore Birds events raising more than $1.4 million since 2021.
From our coverage ...
"The foundation's work resonates particularly strongly with attendees, many of whom have personal connections to autism spectrum disorders. The event has become an annual pilgrimage for Eagles faithful, representing something larger than just successful fundraising—it's a celebration of community and the idea that doing good doesn't have to be serious business.''
This time around? Kelce opened those wallets by dropping his pants.
He made a grand entrance for his fans wearing American flag shorts that were dramatically ripped away to reveal a patriotic Speedo underneath. He climbed a lifeguard chair, basked in the cheers ... and then dismounted, surely to collect some more donations.
But everybody doesn't get it.
Troubled former NFL star Antonio Brown offered up a take that is disturbing and disgraceful.
"Jason Kelce getting naked for (expletive) kids but I’m the crazy one," Brown wrote on social media.
We hesitate to give attention to Brown, at 36 now thought of less as the Pittsburgh Steelers superstar that he once was and more as the man wanted by police on an attempted murder charge. But we've made an editorial decision here.
Kelce's work is designed to highlight the good. The good in all of us.
Brown's efforts are designed with something else far more dastardly in mind ... and yet it is possible that his tragically warped remarks might actually bring awareness to the cause.
One ex-football star's in a Speedo. The other ex-football star's a sicko.
We trust that those of us who want to donate to The Eagles Autism Foundation just had their awareness raised ... however we arrived there.