If you were anywhere near Broad Street in February 2018, you remember the noise. It wasn't just the roar of a million Eagles fans who had finally shaken off a 52-year curse. It was the sight of a 295-pound center dressed like a psychedelic genie, screaming into a microphone about hungry dogs. Jason Kelce's Super Bowl parade outfit didn't just break the internet; it basically redefined what Philadelphia sports culture looks like to the rest of the world.
Honestly, it looked ridiculous. It was a riot of teal, gold, and silver sequins. It had a towering, feathered headpiece that made Kelce look seven feet tall. But for people in Philly, that outfit was a love letter. It wasn't a costume he bought at a party store on his way to the float. There’s a whole history of South Philly tradition stitched into those sequins.
Where Did That Crazy Suit Actually Come From?
Most people outside of the Delaware Valley had never heard the word "Mummer" before Kelce stepped onto that stage at the Art Museum. Basically, the Mummers Parade is a massive, folk-festival tradition that happens every New Year’s Day in Philadelphia. It’s been going on officially since 1901. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s very, very specific to the city’s working-class neighborhoods.
Kelce didn't just want to wear something green. He wanted something that screamed Philadelphia.
The story of how he got the suit is kinda legendary in its own right. Kelce’s longtime barber, Liddy Coyle, is married to Bobby Coyle, who happened to be the business manager for the Avalon String Band. The Avalon guys are heavyweights in the Mummers world. When Kelce decided he wanted to go "full Philly," Liddy made the connection.
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The "Big Smooth" Connection
The suit wasn't even made for Kelce. Because he’s a professional offensive lineman, your average Mummer costume wasn't going to fit his frame. The band had to dig through their archives to find a "big man" suit.
They eventually landed on a costume from their 2008 performance, which had belonged to a band member nicknamed "The Big Smooth" (Jim Crompton). Even then, it was a tight squeeze. James May, a legendary Mummers costume designer who usually spends his days making bridal gowns in Ridley Township, was the original mastermind behind that specific design.
The Anatomy of the Jason Kelce Super Bowl Parade Outfit
If you look closely at the photos, the level of detail is actually insane. It wasn't just a jacket; it was a full-body transformation.
- The Headpiece: A massive, glittering structure adorned with feathers and sequins.
- The Jacket: Teal and silver base with gold accents, covered in intricate sequin patterns.
- The Pants: Matching flared trousers that were definitely not designed for an NFL athlete's quads.
- The Spirit: Kelce reportedly had to be helped into the gear because it was so cumbersome.
He didn't just wear it for the photos. He wore it the whole day. He was chugging beers, high-fiving fans, and eventually delivering the most famous speech in Philadelphia sports history while looking like a high-fashion peacock.
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Why He Refused to Give it to the Hall of Fame
You’d think a piece of history like that would end up behind glass in Canton, Ohio. After the parade, the Pro Football Hall of Fame actually reached out to Kelce. They wanted the suit. They wanted the sequins.
Kelce said no.
On an episode of the New Heights podcast, he told his brother Travis that the suit was sitting in a trash bag in his basement. He didn't want it in a museum. To him, it wasn't a relic of his career; it was a personal memory of the city and the guys who lent it to him. He’s been very vocal about the fact that he doesn’t feel like he "owns" the Mummers tradition—he was just a guest in it for a day.
The Cultural Explosion (and the Knock-offs)
The moment Kelce finished that "Underdog" speech, the outfit became a brand. Suddenly, every Eagles fan wanted a piece of the Mummers look.
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A company called Rasta Imposta, based in Runnemede, New Jersey, actually saw a massive spike in sales for their "Philly Parade Costume." It was a simplified, polyester version of the look, but it sold out instantly. Even years later, you still see fans wearing these replicas at Lincoln Financial Field.
James May, the original designer, even started making "fan hats" for charity. He produced about 300 of them, with proceeds going to Mummers Against Cancer. It’s one of those rare moments where a goofy sports celebration actually turned into something that helped the local community.
How to Channel Your Inner Kelce
If you're looking to recreate the look, you have a few options, though getting the real deal is basically impossible unless you join a string band.
- The Official Replicas: You can still find the "Philly Parade" shirts and hats on various fan sites. They usually run between $25 and $75.
- The Bobbleheads: FOCO and other collectibles companies released limited edition Jason Kelce Mummers bobbleheads. These are now collector's items, often selling for $100 to $300 on eBay depending on the condition.
- The DIY Route: This is the most "Philly" way to do it. Get a teal jacket, some gold sequins from a craft store, and way too much hot glue.
The Jason Kelce Super Bowl parade outfit wasn't just about fashion. It was a visual representation of a guy who finally "got" the city he played in. He didn't just win a trophy; he dressed up in the city's weirdest, oldest tradition and told the world that being an underdog is actually a superpower.
If you're planning on checking out the actual Mummers Parade, it happens every January 1st on Broad Street. You won't see Kelce on the field anymore, but you'll definitely see plenty of people still rocking the teal and gold in his honor. You can visit the Mummers Museum in South Philly if you want to see the history of these costumes up close—just don't expect to see Kelce's original suit there. That one is staying in the trash bag.
For the best experience, head down to the corner of 2nd and Washington on New Year's Day. That's "Two Street," the unofficial heart of the Mummers world, where the real partying happens after the parade ends. It's the closest you'll get to the energy of that 2018 celebration.