Jason Kelce Headlines Autism Awareness Fundraiser in Sea Isle

The chants of “Kelce, Kelce” and “E-A-G-L-E-S broke out as soon as Jason Kelce arrived at the outdoor bar area of O’Donnell’s Pour House in Sea Isle City.

The rock star-like reception for the Philadelphia Eagles former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center was hardly surprising. Hundreds of adoring fans filled the outdoor bar area Wednesday evening seeking autographs and selfies with Kelce during what was his fifth annual fundraiser benefiting the Eagles Autism Foundation and his “Team 62” charity.

Kelce played the role of guest bartender at O’Donnell’s Pour House and its sister property, the Ocean Drive bar, while headlining a group of current and former Eagles players that included Cooper DeJean, Sydney Brown, Brandon Graham, Connor Barwin and Hollis Thomas, among others.

“It’s a wonderful turnout. There are a lot of people coming out to help with autism,” said Thomas, a retired defensive lineman who played 10 seasons for the Eagles.

Thomas characterized the generosity of the people who donated to the fundraiser as another example of the tremendous support the Eagles receive from the fans.

“These are the best fans on Earth, probably the whole galaxy,” he said.

At times, the crowd was four or five deep lining the bar at O’Donnell’s outdoor bar area. Chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S” and “Kelce, Kelce” were heard every few minutes while the fans ordered drinks from the Eagles players-turned-celebrity bartenders.

Sweltering temperatures in the 90s had people thirsty for drinks. One gray-haired man collapsed at O’Donnell’s outdoor bar and appeared to be unconscious when he was carried out by police officers.

Since it began in Sea Isle in 2021, Kelce's celebrity bartending event has raised more than $1.4 million for the Eagles Autism Foundation.

VIP tickets were sold out, but other fans waited in a long line stretching down the sidewalk in front of the Ocean Drive bar on Landis Avenue to pay a $10 donation to attend the fundraiser and get a glimpse of some of the players from the Eagles Super Bowl championship team.

Drew Mills, a 10-year-old Eagles fan from Reading, Pa., carried a large portrait of Kelce that was autographed Wednesday by the former Eagles star.

“Outstanding. It’s as big as it can be,” Drew said while stretching out his arms to describe his excitement in getting Kelce’s autograph.

    Drew Mills, with his father, Bubba Mills, shows off his autographed Jason Kelce portrait.
  

Bubba Mills, Drew’s father, said his son’s bedroom is decorated with Eagles gear and memorabilia, including a life-sized cutout of Kelce.

“He’s a pretty big Eagles fan,” Mills said of Drew. “He’s a center on his (youth) football team, and a lot of that has to do with Jason Kelce.”

Before the main fundraiser, Kelce and other Eagles players appeared during a family-friendly event hosted by the Eagles Autism Foundation in Sea Isle’s oceanfront Excursion Park. Called “the Eagles Takeover of Excursion Park,” the event included an array of family activities, including mini-football.

Among the kids who were successful in getting Kelce’s autograph were Lily Bowen, 9, and Lucas Noel, 9, the children of best friends Kristin Bowen and Meredith Noel, from Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Kelce autographed Lucas’ football card and Lily’s shirt. Their mothers celebrated along the children.

“We did it,” Kristen Bowen exclaimed.

“It was a great experience,” Lucas said.

“Amazing,” Lily added.

    Jason Kelce autographs the shirt of 9-year-old Lily Bowen.
  

Kelce is enormously popular in Sea Isle, both as a fan favorite during his days with the Eagles and as the owner of a summer vacation home in the resort town. He is regularly spotted stopping in at Sea Isle businesses or participating in the annual Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism fundraiser each February.

Kelce declined to comment while signing autographs in Excursion Park, but had this to say about the fundraiser during a 2023 interview with SeaIsleNews.com: “This community supports any type of charitable benefit like no other. Considering my first time ever stepping foot in Sea Isle, I found it’s a very community-driven island and it’s a very family-driven island.”

As a final part of the autism fundraiser, Kelce’s Team 62 charity will sponsor a Beer Bowl starting at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City. A $50,000 cash prize will be up for grabs for the Beer Bowl winner.

    Eagles safety Sydney Brown signs autographs while tending bar.
  

    Eagles mascot Swoop leads the crowd in cheers.
  

    Two Eagles fans wear their Jason Kelce jerseys.
  

    Former Eagles defensive lineman Hollis Thomas waves to fans.
  

    Eagles fans line the sidewalk in front of the Ocean Drive bar while waiting to get inside for the fundraiser.