The Philly Specials is made up of the Philadelphia Eagles alum and current players Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson
John Parra/Getty; Hallmark Channel/Instagram
Jon Bon Jovi is getting into the Christmas spirit with a new take on a classic festive tune.
The Philly Specials, which consists of Philadelphia Eagles alum Jason Kelce and current players Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, teamed up with Bon Jovi, 62, to cover Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run.”
In their version of the song, released Friday, Dec. 20, the Specials and the “Livin’ on a Prayer” vocalist make the upbeat track even more cheery, as Bon Jovi’s guitar riff at the end is accompanied by piano and a saxophone jamming.
Bon Jovi and the Philly Specials’ cover fits perfectly into any cheery holiday playlist.
“🚨 SURPRISE! 🚨 Just when you thought the party was over, we’ve got one last gift for you 🎁🎄…” the group captioned an Instagram post debuting the single. “Run Rudolph Run featuring Jason, Jordan, Lane, AND the legendary @jonbonjovi is OUT NOW! 🎶 Stream it, download it, and let’s end this Philly Special season with a bang!”
Philadelphia Eagles/ Instagram
Jason, 37, Mailata, 27, and Johnson, 34, launched the Philly Specials in 2022 and released their debut album, A Philly Special Christmas, that December. Classic songs on the album include “Blue Christmas,” “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
The following year, the group released their sophomore album, A Philly Special Christmas Special, featuring Patti Labelle on “This Christmas” and Jason’s brother Travis on “Fairytale of Philadelphia.”
Other holiday tunes included “Dominic the Donkey” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
This holiday season, the trio dropped their third album, A Philly Special Christmas Party with a song featuring Stevie Nicks titled “Maybe This Christmas” as well as “Santa Drives an Astrovan” with Mt. Joy.
Travis, 35, and Boyz II Men also joined his brother’s group on A Philly Special Christmas Party for the song “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights),” paying tribute to the Kelce brothers’ hometown.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Profits for the three Philly Special records benefit causes close to the football players’ hearts.
This year, proceeds went to the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station and The Fund For The School District of Philadelphia for Operation Snowball.