Retired former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is enjoying himself at the Paris Summer Olympic games and is cheering on the US athletes – especially those taking part in rugby.
The men’s competition may be over – with the United States finishing eighth – but the women’s tournament has just begun and the Americans are much better favored.
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Kelce got to meet the team on the same day their tournament began with games against Japan and Brazil.
He was even seen arm wrestling one of the team members, Nicole Heavirland of Whitefish, Montana, which he won despite controversially holding onto the table.
When Heavierland challenged him on the table hold, Jason replied on Instagram saying, ‘Holding onto something with your off hand is completely within the rules of the International Federation of Arm Wrestling’.
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Jason Kelce was seen arm wrestling Team USA rugby player Nicole Heavierland
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Kelce also declared himself USA Rugby’s ‘super fan’ with some help from star Ilona Maher
Jason Kelce arm wrestles a Team USA rugby player at the Olympics
Kelce was later seen speaking to Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher wearing a jersey that appeared to be signed by the whole team.
When trying to sell Kelce on the team, Maher said, ‘Women’s water polo has Flava Flav as their super fan. And you are a girl dad, do you get anything from being our super fan? No.
‘There’s no money, no benefits, um I don’t have any free stuff. But if you want to be our super fan, you just need to say I’m a fan.’
‘I am officially a fan,’ Jason replied to cheers from the team in the background.
The American women’s rugby team got off to a flying start thanks in part to Maher as they won their first two games of the Olympics.
Maher, the native of Burlington, Vermont, converted a long try from just behind her own 22-meter line and bullied her way through the field.
That included a strong stiff-arm against a Japanese opponent that cleared the way for her to streak down the pitch to convert the try that put the US up 22-7.
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Maher and the United States won their first two matches of rugby sevens play in Paris
After Kayla Canett converted the try, the US would go on to score another seven points to bring about the final score of 36-7.
In the American’s second game of the day, Maher would grab herself another try with another marauding run against Brazil.
Her second try came from even further behind the 22-meter line and she broke out the stiff arm twice en route to the try line.
The Americans won that match as well – beating Brazil 15-7 for their second victory of the day.
The USA women’s rugby sevens team are currently ranked the fourth best in the world according to the HSBC SVNS standings.
With a quarterfinals berth already secured, they’ll take on host nation and third-ranked France in a battle for the top spot in Group C.
At the Tokyo Olympics, the Americans won their group but were eliminated by Team GB in the quarterfinals.