Matthew and Brady Tkachuk gave ESPN’s Monday night football audience a quick reminder that hockey is back on the calendar, with the Florida Panthers brothers appearing in a prerecorded segment ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears game.
Tkachuk brothers bring NHL message to NFL set
The Panthers teammates checked in on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” before kickoff, joining hosts Jason Kelce and Pat McAfee by video as the network promoted its NHL opening-night coverage.
- Matthew Tkachuk opened the clip by greeting Kelce and McAfee and saying he hoped they were enjoying the Monday night game.
- He then passed a football to Brady, who said he was excited to be on the ice with his brother for ESPN’s opening night.
- Matthew closed with a direct invitation to Jason Kelce, noting that he had seen the former NFL center skate and telling him to lace up with the Panthers.
Kelce family has kept close ties to hockey
The invitation was aimed at a familiar hockey supporter. Jason Kelce and his brother Travis played the game while growing up, and their “New Heights” podcast has previously featured the Stanley Cup.
The brothers also made a significant contribution during the 2026 Winter Olympics. They donated $10,000 to the family of U.S. women’s hockey player Laila Edwards, helping make it possible for them to travel to Milan and watch Edwards win Olympic gold.
Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, were also in attendance for the U.S. semifinal game at the Olympics.
Panthers open ESPN’s season-starting tripleheader
Florida’s appearance on the NFL pregame show arrives one day before the 2026-27 NHL campaign begins. The Panthers will visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday in the first game of ESPN’s opening-night tripleheader.
