The retired gridiron star is set to appear as part of ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' team during the new American football season and is determined to remain objective when it comes to covering games featuring the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.

Jason told PEOPLE: "I don't know that I'm going to cover Travis any differently than I do anyone else. I mean, I feel like I've been praising him for as long as I can remember.

"I've got to be honest, I do think it's important to do that whenever you're commentating. So I'm just going to try and do that and just organically say what I think and not think too much into it."

Kelce has picked out the 'Monday Night Football' clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints on October 7 as game he is particularly looking forward - as it falls just two days after Travis' 35th birthday.

The former Philadelphia Eagles star said: "Well, that one's actually gonna be really fun, because Travis's birthday is October 5th. So, I'll be able to go in and celebrate his birthday with him — which normally, in season, we don't get to see each other for that. Then I'll be able to cover the game."

Jason announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this year and is looking forward to experiencing the new season from a fan's perspective once again.

He said: "I'm excited for all the things that I've never really been able to participate with fans because I've been a player through all these years. Now, I get to be a fan for the first time."