Kelce, Barwin and Celek Set to Return to Cincinnati for Season Opener Against Boston College

A trio of former Cincinnati Bearcats stars will be back on campus when the program kicks off its season against Boston College on Sept. 5, the school confirmed this week.

Jason Kelce, Connor Barwin and Brent Celek — all of whom went on to NFL careers with the Philadelphia Eagles — are expected to attend the home opener. Word of the reunion spread after Jason Kelce discussed it on a recent episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he hosts with his brother, former Bearcat and NFL tight end Travis Kelce. The university’s football program also promoted the appearance on social media.

From Nippert Stadium to Super Bowls

The three visitors share deep Philadelphia ties. Kelce and Celek were members of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII championship squad, while Barwin and Celek both remain in the organization’s front office and were part of its more recent Super Bowl LIX title as executives.

Kelce’s route to NFL stardom began as a walk-on at Cincinnati, where he became a two-time Second Team All-Big East center under then-coach Brian Kelly before Philadelphia selected him in the sixth round of the draft. He went on to earn six First Team Pro Bowl honors with the Eagles.

Barwin’s Cincinnati career was one of reinvention. He arrived as a tight end under Mark Dantonio, catching 53 passes for 692 yards and six touchdowns — including 31 receptions as a junior — before moving to defensive line for his senior season under Kelly. That year he recorded 27 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, helping drive his draft stock. The Houston Texans took him in the second round, and he later played for the Eagles, Rams and Giants across an NFL career that ran from 2009 to 2019. He now serves as Philadelphia’s head of football development.

Celek, a veteran tight end for the Eagles during his playing days, now assists in Philadelphia’s personnel department.

More Honors on the Horizon

The September reunion will be followed by a formal recognition in the fall. Jason Kelce is slated for induction into the James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 23, the eve of Cincinnati’s game against Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium. Barwin will be inducted the same night alongside former Bearcats basketball coach Bob Huggins. Barwin played for Andy Kennedy and Mick Cronin during his time in the basketball program before pursuing football professionally, though he never played under Huggins.

College football homecoming events like this one continue to draw significant broadcast and streaming attention, with media companies such as Fox Corporation among the networks investing heavily in college sports rights as the industry’s viewership keeps climbing.

What to watch

• The Bearcats’ season opener against Boston College on Sept. 5, with the three former stars in attendance.
• The UC Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 23, honoring Jason Kelce, Connor Barwin and Bob Huggins.
• Cincinnati’s matchup with Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium the following night.

Source: original release