Hilarious old footage of Jason Kelce awkwardly interviewing a former Cincinnati Bearcats teammate has gone viral online, as the recently retired NFL pro prepares to return with his brother, Travis, for New Heights Live next month .
Shared Thursday by the Bearcats’ official X (Twitter) account, the video shows the former Eagles center interviewing one of his “best friends on the team,” former left tackle Jeff Linkenbach, for gobearcats.com .
“So, Jeff,” Jason said at first before catching his breath as he seemed nervous in front of the camera. “What are your expectations for this year?
“Another Big East championship this year,” Jeff responded, as Jason immediately said afterward: “That’s what I’m talking about!” We’re on the same page here.
Jason then unexpectedly pauses the interview as he is distracted by ongoing discussions in the background of the interview.
Jason Kelce’s saucy interview with former Bearcats left tackle Jeff Linkenbach has gone viral
The 36-year-old former Eagles center (left) is a lot different than he was in college.
“Are you really going to interrupt the interview like that?” he asks a teammate lurking backstage at the Bearcats’ James Gamble Nippert Memorial Stadium, while Linkenbach laughs to himself.
Concerned with what is happening around him and not the interview, Jason then greets several Bearcats defensive players, who were the ones who managed to eject him in the first place.
“So, uh, let’s get back to the interview with me and Jeff,” Jason then said after realizing that Linkenbach had only asked one question so far during their time together on camera.
“So, uh, like you’re a senior this year, how was it playing for the University of Cincinnati?” he asked Linkenbach, who replied: “It’s been great, Jason. I walked in, who knows, you know? Freshman year, 4-7 or whatever, and now, 1 Big East championship and I have to win another one this year.
“Great, great,” Jason responds, while trying to think of a follow-up question to ask. ‘Um, I went to the Orange Bowl last year. How did you feel about that?
“I was a little disappointed with the end result, but it was a great feeling to be in Miami, you know, just to get there. But I am disappointed with the final result,” replies Linkenbach.
Jason (right) played for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats from 2006 to 2010 before turning professional
Seemingly more confident at this point in their conversation than at the beginning of the interview, Jason asks his teammate, “How’s the offensive line going to be this year?”
“We look really strong, especially on the left side,” Linkenbach said first, before giving back to Caesar what is Caesar’s. “We have Jason Kelce and Chris Jerrick in central defense. You know, Sam Griffin is pretty good. Alex Hoffman too. So I mean… plus we have a lot of depth in CJ Cobb and Randy Martinez. We just look good everywhere.
Siding with his teammate, Jason confirms to Linkenbach: “Yeah, we’re stacked.”
He then asks the left tackle, “If you could run any play, what would it be?”
“It would have to be one of the inside zone plays, so I can block with my good buddy, Jason Kelce,” Linkenbach responds, before Jason interjects: “We like to block.”
The interviewer (Jason) then asks the interviewee in an attempt to save time, “What is your favorite food?”
“Pizza, without a doubt,” Linkenbach says before Jason points out to his teammate that his answer is “good,” twice.
Jason (left) and his younger brother, Travis (right), both return to college on April 11.
Distracted once again by other teammates bombing his interview with Linkenbach, Jason starts yelling at former Bearcats wide receiver Marcus Barnett, who then comes on set and says, “How’s it going?”
“He just wanted to say hello,” Jason says to the camera before returning to the interview. “Alright, well camp has started, camp has already started…how are you feeling right now?” »
“I feel good,” Linkenbach responds, adding that he’s acclimatizing to “the situation and all that.”
“Alright, Jeff, thanks for taking the time to talk to me and go Bears. (…) Go Bearcats.’ Jason said to conclude the cringeworthy interview.
The Bearcats mocked their former star center, who played for them from 2006 to 2010, on !”
“Travis and Jason return to UC April 11 for @neweightshow LIVE – featuring the Lombardy Games and surprise guests.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased at gobearcats.com.