Jason Kelce Called Out for Cheating in Arm-Wrestling Match With Team USA Rugby Star

Kristen Wong | Jul 29, 2024

Screengrab on Twitter/ @newheightshow

Jason Kelce has long been known as a man of the people. That may have changed on Sunday when the former Philadelphia Eagles center showed some questionable sportsmanlike conduct in a thrilling arm wrestling contest against Team USA women’s rugby star Nicole Heavirland during the Paris Olympics.

Decked out in his chic Parisian outfit, Kelce dropped by Team USA’s women’s rugby locker room after their win over Brazil and was challenged to an arm wrestling match for the ages by Heavirland. He couldn’t say no.

In a video posted to Heavirland’s Instagram, Kelce and the rugby star are seen fiercely battling it out for 10 or so seconds. Kylie, Jason’s wife, could be heard yelling, “He’s gonna cheat!” in the background.

Kelce ultimately prevailed against the Olympian and gave Heavirland a sweet hug afterward. Fans, however, thought his unofficial win against Heavirland should be denoted with an asterisk, as Kelce was caught holding onto the table with his free hand.

We all see that left hand @JasonKelce 😂👀 pic.twitter.com/2BEeU9gF21

— New Heights (@newheightshow) July 28, 2024

Kelce later took to social media to defend himself.

“Grabbing something with your off hand is not against any rules according to the guidelines set forth by the IFAW (International Federation of Arm Wrestling),” Kelce wrote.

Grabbing something with your off hand is not against any rules according to the guidelines set forth by the IFAW (International Federation of Arm Wrestling). https://t.co/Mg9225R94y

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) July 28, 2024

The people would disagree.

If you ain’t cheating you ain’t trying

— New Heights (@newheightshow) July 28, 2024

Might not be illegal @JasonKelce but it is frowned upon.

— Jaime (@thejaimster) July 28, 2024

Clearly you’re in cahoots with Big Arm Wrestling.

— Sela Blanton (@SelaB1103) July 29, 2024

Pure leverage use with the edge of that table, while her hand was flat on the surface of the table.....lol. She got you beat in reality, buddy!

— Michael (@michaelbarbee67) July 29, 2024

That man has made it abundantly clear that he's gonna cheat if you don't call him on it 😂😂😂

— Sarah 💚 (@HomemadePoptart) July 28, 2024