NFL locker rooms are home to some of the most physically imposing athletes in the world—massive individuals that most people wouldn’t dream of challenging. However, Claude Giroux, a longtime NHL forward known for his toughness on the ice, didn’t seem to be the least bit intimidated by the towering figures in the Philadelphia Eagles locker room.
Jason Kelce recently shared a hilarious story that highlights Giroux’s boldness during their time together in Philadelphia, showcasing just how fearless the hockey star really is.
Hockey players have long been known for their grit and toughness, and Giroux is no exception. Over the course of his illustrious NHL career, he’s overcome numerous challenges, playing in nearly 1,200 games and solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s toughest competitors.
Currently playing for the Ottawa Senators, the 36-year-old veteran spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him 22nd overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. During his time in Philadelphia, Giroux became a fan favorite, not only for his on-ice skills but also for his competitive spirit and tenacity.
Despite being a hockey lifer, it seems Giroux may have had the personality—and the guts—to thrive in a different sport altogether, according to Kelce. In an episode of the “New Heights” podcast, co-hosted by Kelce and his brother Travis, the retired tight end recounted a memorable interaction with Giroux that showed just how fearless the hockey star could be, even when surrounded by NFL giants.
During a discussion about which NHL players might have what it takes to succeed in the NFL, Kelce shared an anecdote about Giroux’s visits to Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Giroux, despite being surrounded by towering football players, would regularly show up and issue challenges to the Eagles players, fearlessly asking to arm wrestle anyone who was willing to take him on. Kelce recalled with a laugh, “He used to come in and ask to arm wrestle anybody. So mentality-wise? Yes.”
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At 5’11” and 188 pounds, Giroux might not seem like the ideal candidate to take on the 6’3”, nearly 300-pound Kelce, or any other NFL player, for that matter. But the sheer confidence and fearlessness he exhibited was enough to earn the respect of even the largest athletes in the Eagles locker room.
Kelce, impressed by Giroux’s unwavering self-assurance, couldn’t help but admire the NHL star’s bold attitude, even if the size disparity between the two athletes was laughably apparent.
While Giroux’s hockey career has spanned over a decade and included numerous accolades, it’s his fearless mentality—on and off the ice—that has made him a legend in Philadelphia.
Whether leading the Flyers as captain or strolling into an NFL locker room to challenge much larger athletes to arm wrestling matches, Giroux has always displayed an undeniable confidence that sets him apart.
Though the idea of Giroux actually competing in the NFL may seem far-fetched, Kelce’s story paints a picture of an athlete who wasn’t afraid to test himself against the best, regardless of the sport.
It’s that same mentality that has driven Giroux throughout his NHL career, making him not only a respected leader on the ice but also a figure admired across other sports.
Giroux may have devoted his life to hockey, but based on Kelce’s story, his fiery personality and competitive spirit would have made him a force to be reckoned with in just about any arena.
And while we’ll never know how he would have fared in the NFL, his willingness to challenge some of the league’s most physically imposing athletes is a testament to the kind of fearless competitor he has always been.
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