Kylie Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce, is actively dismantling the outdated “WAG” label – short for “wives and girlfriends” of professional athletes. While technically fitting the description, Kelce rejects the reductive term, arguing it minimizes the identities and achievements of women connected to sports.
The Problem with “WAG”
For years, the term WAG has been used to categorize women solely by their relationship to male athletes, overlooking their own careers, passions, and personalities. Kelce, along with fellow NFL spouses Allison Kuch, Hailey Williams, and Niki Mailata, addressed this issue head-on in a panel discussion, emphasizing the dismissive nature of the acronym. As Kelce states, the label implies that these women only exist in relation to their partners, erasing their individual contributions.
Beyond the Sidelines: Kelce’s Multifaceted Life
Kelce isn’t simply “Jason Kelce’s wife.” She is a podcast host (“Not Gonna Lie”), a mother of four, a high school field hockey coach, and a vocal advocate for girls and women in sports. This advocacy is intentional; Kelce actively recruits players for Philadelphia’s upcoming WNBA expansion team and supports organizations like Dove to combat the alarming trend of girls dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14.
Leading by Example: Balancing Family and Ambition
Kelce embodies the message she wants to send: women can thrive both personally and professionally. She returned to coaching field hockey just one week after giving birth, bringing her newborn daughter to practice, demonstrating that motherhood doesn’t necessitate sacrificing ambition. This visibility, Kelce hopes, will inspire the next generation.
The Power of Vulnerability: “Not Gonna Lie” Podcast
Kelce’s podcast, “Not Gonna Lie,” has become a platform for raw honesty, tackling topics from parenting struggles (including bathroom mishaps) to the pain of pregnancy loss. This vulnerability resonates with listeners, with one mother sharing that Kelce’s openness helped her heal. The podcast’s success lies in its unfiltered approach, attracting high-profile guests like Michelle Obama and Demi Lovato while remaining grounded in relatable experiences.
Reclaiming the Narrative
Kylie Kelce isn’t trying to erase the connection to the NFL; she wants to expand the conversation. She wants to redefine the term “WAG” as a starting point, not a finish line. The question she poses is simple: what else is she doing? By prioritizing purpose and intention, Kelce is proving that women in sports are far more than just wives and girlfriends—they are athletes, advocates, mothers, and individuals with their own unique stories to tell.
