Jason Kelce signs autographs during his celebrity bartending role.
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI and MADDY VITALE
By now, Jason Kelce must have a serious case of writer’s cramp.
He was mobbed by hundreds of Philadelphia Eagles fans clamoring for his autograph on their jerseys, hats, footballs and sneakers. One fan even had a Kelce tattoo on his leg that he wanted the newly retired All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center to sign.
Kelce made a grand entrance at O’Donnell’s Pour House for a celebrity bartending role in the fourth year of the Eagles Autism Foundation fundraiser in Sea Isle City on Wednesday evening.
Chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S” and “Kelce-Kelce” broke out among the crowd as Kelce made his appearance along with other current and former Eagles, including Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jake Elliott, Landon Dickerson, Trent Cole and Todd Herremans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxfiisffRhE
Among the fans waiting in a long line snaking around O’Donnell’s Pour House and sister property the Ocean Drive bar on Landis Avenue was Cay Hilferty, of Southampton, Pa. Hilferty, 75, calls herself “Momma Kelce” because of her striking resemblance to Kelce’s real mother, Donna Kelce.
She was carrying a sign that said,” Hey Momma Kelce, I’m your Philly Twin.”
Hilferty was fortunate enough to meet the real Donna Kelce and take photos with her Wednesday at the fundraiser. She noted that she admires Donna Kelce, as well as Jason.
“I respect her kindness and all that she’s done,” Hilferty said.
Hilferty noted that she looks so much like Donna Kelce that “at least 20 people” confused her with the real person and took a photo with her.
“I am one of them,” Brittany Polizzi said with a laugh, while speaking with Hilferty.
Cay Hilferty, center, who jokingly calls herself "Mama Kelce," poses for photos with her fellow Eagles fans at O'Donnell's Pour House.
Polizzi came up from her home in St. Petersburg, Fla., for a truck show in Atlantic City and took a side trip to Sea Isle to catch some Eagles sightings at O’Donnell’s Pour House.
“I just want a picture of the world’s greatest mom,” Polizzi said of Donna Kelce, whose other son is All-Pro and Pro-Bowl tight end Travis Kelce of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Travis Kelce was not at the autism fundraiser this year, although he has been in the past, including in 2023 and 2022. Excitement swirled that Travis would possibly show up in Sea Isle accompanied by his pop superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift. But that was not the case.
However, Eagles fans were ecstatic with Jason Kelce’s celebrity bartending stint. He was greeted like a rock star during his appearance.
Other current and former Eagles were also wildly cheered by fans during their entrance at the Pour House. Defensive end and fan favorite Brandon Graham posed for photos and signed autographs in between bartending.
Friends Karen Braun, left, and Chris Rush arrive early to get a spot in line.
Friends Chris Rush, of Clinton, N.J., and Karen Braun, of Chadds Ford, Pa., couldn’t wait to get inside the Ocean Drive bar. They showed up early to get a good spot in line.
“We are just happy to be here,” Rush said.
“We love the Eagles, and this event is for a good cause,” Braun noted.
Earlier in the day at Excursion Park, there were family-friendly games set up and a platform with big green letters spelling out the word “Birds” for photo ops. There were also huge football player cutouts and tables set up with Eagles items.
Sea Isle Police Chief Anthony Garreffi said the department had a full complement of officers out for crowd and traffic control.
Cape May County Sheriff’s Department officers supplemented Sea Isle police. Sheriff’s Officer Andrew Raniszewski was on patrol with his police horse Speck.
“There have been no problems. The OD has their security,” Garreffi said of the Ocean Drive. “We have a sufficient amount of law enforcement personnel, including the county.”
https://youtu.be/SKZC5CK_rNc
It was not immediately announced how much money was raised Wednesday for the Eagles Autism Foundation. Kathy Larkin, general manager of the Pour House and Ocean Drive, said the event raised about $500,000 last year. The fundraiser generated about $50,000 in its first year in 2021 and about $100,000 in 2022.
In addition to ticket sales at the door, the owners and employees of the Ocean Drive and the Pour House are a major source of funding for the autism foundation. The bartenders and wait staff donated their tips for autism awareness. Brothers Ralph and Pat Pasceri, the owners of the Ocean Drive and Pour House, also make a significant donation, Larkin said.
The event not only benefits the Eagles Autism Foundation, but also creates an economic boost for Sea Isle’s downtown business district by drawing customers to the bars, restaurants and retail shops, Larkin said.
Eagles mania will continue Thursday with events at the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City. There will be plenty of opportunities at the yacht club for more Jason Kelce sightings, among appearances by other Eagles.
Jim Collins, yacht club general manager, said the goal is to support autism awareness.
More than 20 boats will arrive at the yacht club around 11 a.m. Thursday. Kelce and the contestants of a beer bowl at the yacht club and other Eagles will be in the boat parade, Collins said.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott acknowledges the fans.
Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham serves up some jello shots.
Eagles fans pose at the "Birds" sign at Excursion Park.
A fan gives a thumb's-up.
Police officers watch over the crowd gathered for Kelce's appearance at the Ocean Drive bar.
Eagles fans surge to get a close look at the players at Paddy's Green.
