You’ve seen the photos. Or maybe you haven’t, and if so, brace yourself. It’s a tattoo of a man. Not just any man, but retired Philadelphia Eagles center and future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce. Only he’s not in his pads or his famous Mummers outfit. He’s in a classic, 1940s-style pinup pose—completely naked, wearing nothing but cleats, elbow pads, and a very strategically placed eagle.
The Jason Kelce pinup tattoo is one of those internet things that starts as a "wait, is that real?" and ends with a deep dive into the weird, wonderful world of NFL fandom bets.
Most people assume this masterpiece belongs to a Philly die-hard who had one too many beers at a tailgate. Nope. It actually belongs to Lauren Matarese-Philpott, a lifelong New York Giants fan. Yeah, you read that right. A Giants fan has a naked Eagle permanently etched into her skin.
The Bet That Birthed the Legend
Honestly, the backstory is better than the art itself. Lauren and her husband, Danny Philpott, have one of those "house divided" situations. She bleeds Big Blue; he’s an Eagles fanatic. To keep things spicy, they’ve been betting on the Giants-Eagles rivalry since 2014.
It started small. Jersey swaps, dinner tabs—the usual stuff. But by 2023, the stakes reached a fever pitch. They decided that if the Giants won, Danny would get an Eli Manning tattoo on his butt. If the Eagles won? Lauren had to get a pinup-style Jason Kelce.
The Giants lost. Hard.
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Lauren, being a woman of her word, didn’t flinch. She actually liked Kelce anyway, calling him her "favorite Eagle" because of his personality and blue-collar vibe. She took the idea to artist Joe Moreira (known as "Joe the Wizard") at Pale Horse Tattoo Studio in Philadelphia. Joe took the concept of "Jason Kelce" and "Sexy Pinup" and ran with it.
The result? A tattoo that features Jason’s iconic beard, a flirtatious glance over the shoulder, and the Eagles' mascot, Swoop, covering the "sensitive" bits. It's ridiculous. It's high-art. It's basically the most Jason Kelce thing to ever happen to someone who isn't Jason Kelce.
What Does Jason Kelce Think?
You’d think a guy might be a little weirded out finding out a stranger has a naked caricature of him on their forearm. But this is Jason Kelce we’re talking about. The man who wore a Batman mask and chugged beers with fans for a decade.
When the tattoo went viral in June 2025, it didn't take long for it to reach the New Heights podcast. Jason’s reaction was legendary. He looked at the photo and honestly seemed a bit impressed. He tweeted that he wasn't sure if he should be "offended or flattered," but eventually settled on flattered.
"I don't think I look half-bad, to be honest. They did me a solid. It’s a generous bird, good sized head." — Jason Kelce
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His brother, Travis Kelce, couldn't stop laughing, noting it might be the "best Jason has ever looked." Even their dad, Ed Kelce, had to weigh in, initially asking if it was a "henna" or some kind of temporary prank. When he realized it was permanent ink, the Kelce patriarch was floored.
The Wife's Perspective
Kylie Kelce, Jason’s wife and the undisputed queen of Delco, had the most relatable reaction. When she saw the TikTok of the tattoo, she simply commented: "Excuse me???" and "I don't even know where to start."
Later, on her own podcast Not Gonna Lie, she joked about the whole thing, saying she might gift Jason a "banana hammock" for Father's Day to match the vibe of the tattoo. It’s that kind of humor that makes the Kelce family so beloved; they don't take themselves too seriously, even when someone is walking around with a "Sexy Jason" on their arm.
The "Sexy Travis" Rivalry
In true internet fashion, one viral tattoo wasn't enough. Not long after Lauren's ink went viral, a Dallas Cowboys fan (of all people) decided to up the ante. A police officer named Nick Jones from Ohio saw the Jason tattoo and felt Travis Kelce deserved the same treatment.
Nick accepted a challenge from Accelerator Energy Drinks to get a Travis Kelce pinup tattoo. This one features Travis riding a can of energy drink like a rocket, soaring toward the moon. It even has added leg hair for "extra charm."
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Suddenly, the Kelce brothers aren't just competing for Super Bowl rings; they're competing for the title of "Most Ridiculous Fan Tattoo."
Why the Jason Kelce Pinup Tattoo Matters
On the surface, it’s just a funny story about a lost bet. But if you look closer, it says a lot about why we love sports.
- Respect transcends rivalries. A Giants fan getting an Eagles player tattoo is the ultimate sign of "I hate your team, but I love your game."
- The "New Heights" Effect. The podcast has turned offensive linemen into A-list celebrities. Ten years ago, no one was getting a tattoo of a center. Today, Jason is a pop-culture icon.
- Commitment. In an era of "keyboard warriors," there's something weirdly respectable about someone actually following through on a bet this extreme.
Actionable Takeaways for the Bold
If you're thinking about getting your own sports-themed ink or entering a high-stakes bet, here’s some "expert" advice:
- Pick your artist wisely. Joe Moreira’s work on the Jason Kelce pinup tattoo is technically solid. If you’re going for a joke tattoo, it still needs to look good, or the joke is on you forever.
- Check the "Swoop" placement. If you're getting a "nude" mascot tattoo, make sure the placement is strategic. Nobody needs a legal headache at the beach.
- Think about the "New Heights" shoutout. If your tattoo is weird enough, there's a 90% chance the Kelce brothers will talk about it on their show. Be prepared for the sudden influx of DMs.
- Know your limits. If you aren't prepared to explain a naked NFL player to your grandkids, maybe stick to betting a case of beer.
The Jason Kelce pinup tattoo isn't just ink; it's a testament to the chaotic, hilarious, and deeply personal nature of football culture in 2026. Whether you think it’s a masterpiece or a tragedy, you can’t deny one thing: it’s definitely "generous."