ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Ahead of a high-stakes game four in their playoff series versus the Hershey Bears, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms are trying to enlist a beloved football star to help "Rally the Valley."
On their X account early yesterday, the minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers tweeted, "Hey, Jason Kelce, we need you to sound the siren at our Playoff game against the Hershey Bears this Saturday, 5/11 at 7:05 PM.
"We'll give you a suite to donate to a charity of your choice! You have 24 hours to respond."
Hey @JasonKelce, we need you to sound the siren at our Playoff game against the Hershey Bears this Saturday, 5/11 at 7:05 PM.
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) May 9, 2024
We’ll give you a suite to donate to a charity of your choice!
You have 24 hrs to respond. @newheightshow pic.twitter.com/4gddz5kUrB
The tweet also shouted out the New Heights Show, a podcast that the former Philadelphia Eagles center hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Although Kelce has not yet responded to the tweet, the message currently has more than 20,000 impressions, 400 "likes" and dozens of responses from enthusiastic Phantoms fans.
They included Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who challenged Kelce to "get the crowd more hyped than I could."
Im the Mayor of Allentown, and I’m challenging @JasonKelce to get the crowd more hyped than I could for the @LVPhantoms game on Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm! If he can do it, I’ll buy the celebratory beers at @PPLCenter. https://t.co/ivDEro90zf pic.twitter.com/BAGlxl9VEE
— Mayor Matt Tuerk (@matthewtuerk) May 10, 2024
From Dorney Park to Wrestlemania
Though born and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Kelce, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is no stranger to the Lehigh Valley.
He appeared at Dorney Park in 2018 on behalf of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
He has thrown out the pitch of Philadelphia Phillies games, cheered on the Broad Street Bullies at Flyers games and, most recently, jumped in the ring at Wrestlemania at Lincoln Financial Field this year.
"It's safe to say that he's at Philly sports fan," said Caitlin Burns, community and public relations manager for the Phantoms.
"So that's why we think it would be so great to have him help hype up the crowd for Saturday's playoff game."
Burns said there have been no attempts to reach out to Kelce's camp, but she's hopeful he'll see it and respond on his own.
Backs to the wall, win or go home
After ousting the Scranton Penguins in Round 1, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms face the Hershey Bears, the minor-league affiliate of the Washington Capitals, in the second round of the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs.
After the Bears jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, a 2-0 (coincidentally) shutout on Wednesday night's game has proven that the Phantoms aren't dead yet.
In fact, the PPL Center and Allentown Parking Authority are celebrating a solid performance by offering free parking to patrons attending Saturday's game.
Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
