Jason Kelce is a man of many layers, but for most fans, the top layer is usually a thick, unruly thicket of facial hair. It’s the Jason Kelce beard. You know it. You’ve seen it on the sidelines, in Super Bowl parades, and now, weekly on the New Heights podcast. It’s not just hair; it’s a lifestyle choice.
Most people think he’s just a guy who stopped shaving in 2011 and never looked back. That’s not quite right. Honestly, there’s a lot of strategy—and a bit of domestic negotiation—involved in keeping that mountain-man look from turning into a total disaster.
The Secret Life of the Jason Kelce Beard
If you’ve ever tried to grow more than a week’s worth of stubble, you know it gets itchy. Like, "I want to rip my skin off" itchy. Jason actually went through that same phase about six or seven years ago when he first started letting it go. He didn't have a plan. He just had a face that produced hair at a staggering rate.
His wife, Kylie, was the one who finally stepped in. She noticed he was getting breakouts and irritation under all that fluff. Basically, she told him he couldn't just let it "fester." That’s her word. Imagine being one of the best centers in NFL history and getting a lecture on skin hygiene from your spouse. But she was right.
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To keep it under control, Jason has been visiting the same barber, Libby, in Old City Philadelphia for years. It’s a $40 trim. No fancy celebrity stylists or Beverly Hills grooming boutiques. Just a consistent barber who knows how to keep him from looking like a castaway while maintaining that "I just wrestled a bear" aesthetic.
The Great Dye Mishap of 2025
You might’ve noticed a change recently. For a while, the Jason Kelce beard was going gray. It looked distinguished. Salt and pepper. Then, suddenly, it was jet black. It looked… weird. Even his former teammate Lane Johnson couldn't help himself, roasting Jason by comparing him to the OxiClean guy, Billy Mays.
Why did he do it? Vanity? Nope. It was for a bit.
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Jason and his brother Travis co-own Garage Beer, and they were filming a commercial where Jason needed to look younger. He actually considered shaving the whole thing off for the role. "Initially, I was going to shave my beard completely, and then I was like, 'Yeah, I'm not doing that. I hate my face too much,'" he admitted on New Heights.
The dye job didn't go as planned. He mixed light brown and dark brown, but the chemistry didn't work. He stepped out of the shower looking like he’d applied shoe polish to his chin. He’s since gone on record saying he misses his grays and can’t wait for them to grow back. It's a rare moment of grooming vulnerability for a guy who usually looks like he sleeps in a tent.
How to Get the Look (Without the Acne)
If you're looking to replicate the Jason Kelce beard, you can't just throw away your razor and hope for the best. Even the "everyman" legend uses products. He actually partnered with Old Spice years ago to launch a beard care line. He’s a big proponent of beard oils and conditioners.
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What You Actually Need
- A Consistent Barber: Find someone who understands your face shape. Jason pays $40. You don't need to spend $200.
- Beard Oil: This is for the skin, not just the hair. It stops the "festering" Kylie was worried about.
- Patience: Jason’s beard is a decade-long project. You aren't getting that volume by next Tuesday.
The most important takeaway? Know when to stop.
Jason admits that Travis got the "good looks" and the height, while he got the beard genes. It’s a trade-off. If you have the genes, use them. If you don't, maybe stick to the Travis Kelce stubble—it's a lot less maintenance and much harder to mess up with home hair dye.
What’s Next for the Beard?
Now that Jason is retired, people wondered if the beard would go the way of his playing days. If anything, it seems to be getting bigger. It’s become a part of his brand, as central to his identity as his underdog mentality. He’s shown that you can be a world-class athlete and still look like a guy who might offer to fix your radiator for a 12-pack of beer.
For anyone trying to grow their own version of the Jason Kelce beard, the first step isn't buying a comb. It’s getting permission from your significant other and finding a barber you trust. Once you have those two things, just let it grow. Just maybe stay away from the "shoe polish" dye kits.
To keep your own beard from becoming a "festering" mess like Jason's early days, start using a basic beard wash twice a week. It clears out the dead skin cells that cause the itching. If it's good enough for an All-Pro center, it's good enough for your bathroom sink.