Jason Kelce Pours Heart and Shots at Record-Breaking Celebrity Bartending Event
The former Eagles star raised over $1 million in one unforgettable night at Sea Isle City — blending beer, brotherhood, and a bold mission to support autism research.
There’s a salt-kissed breeze that sweeps through Sea Isle City in late June — the kind that smells like sunscreen, beer foam, and the first chords of a Bruce Springsteen anthem drifting from an open bar door. But for one electric night this summer, the real soundtrack was the roar of a crowd watching Jason Kelce pour tequila shots in a tank top, sweat gleaming, heart wide open.
For the fifth year in a row, the recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center turned Ocean Drive, a beloved Jersey Shore watering hole, into a pulsing, purpose-driven party. Kelce’s annual celebrity bartending fundraiser, held on June 26, wasn’t just a boozy hang with the boys — it was a grassroots philanthropy event disguised as a beach bash, and this year, it hit its stride with over $1 million raised for the Eagles Autism Foundation.
That’s not a typo. Seven figures. In one night. And that’s a record not just for the event, but for any Eagles player-led initiative in the franchise’s history.
There’s something about Kelce that makes this all feel right. Maybe it’s the beer gut he wears like a badge of honor, or the way he tosses off dad jokes between auction items. Maybe it’s that, unlike so many celebrity-led fundraisers where the hosts are more photo op than participant, Jason and his wife Kylie were slinging drinks, busting out behind the bar like lifers at a South Philly dive. Coach Nick Sirianni showed up. So did teammates Jordan Mailata and Jake Elliott. There were chants, cheers, maybe a few spilled drinks — but always, always that beating heart underneath it all: support for the autism community.
Five years ago, it started smaller. A few Eagles alums, some barstools, and a hope to make a dent. Since 2021, the event has snowballed into a philanthropic juggernaut, now responsible for over $2.4 million in total funds directed toward autism research, care, and education. That money doesn’t just vanish into a general fund — it’s been actively invested through the Eagles Autism Foundation into programs at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Jefferson Health, and community organizations creating safer, more inclusive spaces for neurodiverse families.
But let’s be real: fundraising can be dry. Jason Kelce’s version is anything but.
Picture this: a sea of fans in midnight green, sweaty from sun and dance, crowding a boardwalk bar as Eagles legends shout drink orders over the bassline. Every cocktail poured is another dollar toward real impact. Every autographed jersey auctioned off? A lifeline to a family navigating diagnosis and support. Kelce isn’t just showing up — he’s making philanthropy magnetic.
And Kylie Kelce? She’s a quiet powerhouse. Between sharp banter and heartfelt toasts, she anchors the night with the kind of grounded charm that makes this all feel human — not PR, not performance, but love in action.
It’s rare in this world, especially the world of sports celebrity, for an event to feel this personal, this local, and this large all at once. But that’s the Kelce magic. He’s the kind of guy who walks off the Super Bowl field and into a dive bar fundraiser without losing a step. And as retirement looms, it’s clear this second act might be just as powerful as the first.
Because truth is, this wasn’t just a party. It was a mirror — reflecting back what happens when community, culture, and care collide. It was a night of loud joy with a quiet mission. And as the final drink was poured and the last donation tallied, the message was clear: Jason Kelce isn’t done making impact — he’s just changing the game.
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Sana has been covering film, fame, and everything in between for over a decade. From red carpets to rehab rumors, she brings nuance, wit, and an insider’s edge to every story. When she’s not reporting, she’s probably watching Koffee With Karan reruns or doom-scrolling celebrity IG feeds.
