Forget playbooks and game plans—Jason and Kylie Kelce are facing a domestic challenge they can't seem to conquer: naming their dog. The retired NFL legend and his wife have turned the simple act of pet identification into a hilarious, multi-act family saga, revealing on their respective podcasts that their new German Shepherd is already on her third name.
From Bernadette to Frida (or Freddie... or Gunda?)
The canine comedy began when Kylie Kelce introduced the family's new addition on her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, announcing they had welcomed a German Shepherd named Bernadette. That name, however, had the lifespan of a poorly thrown screen pass. Kylie quickly pivoted, rebranding the dog as Matilda.
But one name change wasn't enough for this athletic household. Taking the microphone on this week's "New Heights" podcast with his brother Travis, Jason Kelce provided the latest update, completely rewriting the script. "We got a German shepherd," Jason declared. "This is Frida, or as everyone is calling, 'Freddie.' Everyone is calling her Freddie around the house. I'm calling her Gunda because I like that name better. She's German, right?"
The revelation paints a picture of a household in cheerful disarray, with the dog answering to a small roster of names while Jason goes rogue with his own preferred Germanic choice.
A Busy Offseason for the Kelce Clan
The canine naming crisis comes during a notably eventful period for the family, who have found themselves in the public eye for reasons beyond football. Just last week, Kylie made headlines after a fiery moment on her podcast where she defended the privacy of her brother-in-law, Travis Kelce, and his fiancée Taylor Swift. "I just want to say to literally everybody, I know it usually comes from a good place – not always – but quit asking me and my mother-in-law about upcoming nuptials," she stated emphatically. "Nobody is f****** telling you anything. I don't have any details. I have no details. I have none." The rant quickly led to some public scrutiny and calls for an apology from certain quarters of the internet.
Meanwhile, Jason has been navigating his own wave of attention, though his has been centered on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. His high-profile role as a guest commentator for ESPN at The Masters tournament sparked a mixed reaction from golf purists. Social media lit up with comments from viewers who felt the network was overexposing the charismatic former center. "Dear ESPN – We do not want Jason Kelce shoved down our throats," wrote one fan, while another added, "I'm sure he's a nice guy, but the over saturation of this guy in everything on ESPN is wild." The situation became notable enough to be categorized as a full-blown backlash against ESPN's coverage.
To his credit, Jason has handled the new gig—and the criticism—with his typical good humor, likely viewing it as an interesting experiment during the NFL offseason. The network itself seems to be figuring out his perfect fit, a scenario some have dubbed ESPN's Jason Kelce conundrum.
All in the Family
Through it all, the Kelces continue to operate as a tight-knit, if famously opinionated, unit. Whether it's defending family privacy, trying out new broadcasting gigs, or simply deciding what to call the family pet, their lives play out with a blend of superstar scrutiny and relatable chaos. The dog's naming saga, while lighthearted, is a perfect microcosm of their current chapter: full of change, debate, and a few laughs along the way.
For now, the German Shepherd at the center of it all is probably just happy to be part of a loving home, even if she has to keep one ear perked for which of her many names is being called next.
