Eagles' Kelce Is 'Best Friends' With North Penn Grad With Autism

LANSDALE, PA — Everyone loves the mayor of North Penn, and Super Bowl champion Eagles center Jason Kelce is no different.

Ben Hartranft, the 2017 North Penn homecoming king on the autism spectrum who has done some incredible work around the region raising awareness for the condition, had the chance to get close to Kelce this past offseason.

As related by Graham Foley over at the Eagles official website, Kelce got connected with Hartranft when the latter was chosen to carry the Vince Lombari Trophy into the Super Bowl Ring ceremony back in June. Hartranft was noticed by Eagles brass because he is a key fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Challenge.

At the event, he reportedly had the chance to deliver the trophy to the podium and speak with all the players. But he especially connected with Kelce:

"After the ceremony, he found Jason Kelce and knowing that Kelce is a “funny and crazy guy,” Ben thought he would be a fun person to hang out with. So, he simply asked Kelce if he liked roller coasters. As a Dorney Park employee, he thought maybe he could bring him over sometime to go on the rides with him. Kelce looked right back at Ben and said two words. 'I'm in.'"

Kelce, along with wife, reportedly met Hartranft and his family and spent around four hours one July afternoon riding "just about every attraction" in the park, taking time in between to toss a football around and re-enact the famed Philly Special.

“He’s a great guy," Hartranft told Eagles.com. “He’s very kind and loving. He’s just the best.”

Take a look at the full story over on the Eagles site here.

See also:

• North Penn Homecoming King Featured In Autism Documentary

Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images