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Not even a year removed from his NFL retirement, Jason Kelce is competing against world-class athletes again, but not in football.
The former Philadelphia Eagles star matched up with United States rugby team member Nicole Heavirland in an arm wrestling contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics this weekend.
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We all see that left hand @JasonKelce 😂👀 pic.twitter.com/2BEeU9gF21
While Kelce got the win, it didn’t come without a solid fight from Heavirland. Even as a star rugby player, almost taking down a former NFL center in a feat of strength like arm wrestling is impressive.
All due respect to Kelce, but Heavirland has a bigger win on her mind this week.
She and Team USA will look to put together a gold-medal-worthy performance in Paris after finishing fifth at the 2020 Olympics in Japan. They are off to a strong start, taking down Japan 36-7 on Sunday.
The United States has a tough matchup ahead of it though, as it will take on France on Monday in its final match of pool play. France defeated Brazil 26-0 and Japan 49-0 to begin Olympic play.
Heavirland has had a prominent rugby career so far, competing for the United States Military Academy in college after transitioning from the women’s basketball team. She made her Olympic debut in Japan and is now hoping to lead her team to a medal in Paris.
After putting up a strong fight against Kelce, it seems she has a prominent fan in her corner as the Olympics continue.