Ilona Maher Explains Why Jason Kelce Wore a Shirt with Her Face All Over It

[@j.j.h.atemycereal]

I was about to say “we must protect her at all costs” but let’s be honest. In a crisis situation, she’ll be protecting us.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Very true!!! Women ruggers were the most fun athletes at college - they weren’t in Division III like most our sports, they played club style, and hosted their opponents. One of the best things about having rugged friends was getting invited to the pre or post game party/sleepover - after trying to tear each other apart lol, they would spend the rest of the time together, singing dirty songs that are some kind of folklore, and just generally having a great time! One of my sweetest, most mild mannered friends was a beast on the field! The men were cool too, it was an unusually queer sport, lots of gay men who were not particularly “butch” were also rugby monsters! I loved the absence of weird gender stuff. Looks fun but too painful lol!!

[@NewBlackAlchemy]

Interesting fact. In a panic situation in NZ we don’t look for a doctor. We look for a Black Fern. #kiwilife

[@masterofallgoons]

So you thought better of typing the lamest cliché in current usage online? Good for you.

[@noeraldinkabam]

@@masterofallgoons and all in good faith, no mean meaning, ofcourse.

[@Lea-zf7lm]

Rugby players rock and always have!

[@winchesterdean]

I love how she's gotten so many people into rugby the last few years. I also love that she wore a strapless outfit. SHOW OFF THOSE SHOULDERS GIRL THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU SO POWERFUL

[@bonesonstones1]

so true 🔥🔥

[@dsy1081]

Her shoulders and upper arms are MY DREAM. She is surviving the zombie apocalypse for sure.

[@tjferman7818]

Im a 6' man, and I absolutely love her confidence, and just overall demeanor. She's such a strong woman physically and mentally, and its genuinely so attractive 🥰

[@greyklopstock7155]

I saw those guns and I was like "MY GOD WHAT A WOMAN!!" She's an absolute unit, a total badass, and a national treasure

[@habba929]

@@tjferman7818 straight lady here, but appreciates women of course. She looks like a jacked Jennifer Garner to me! Beast Beauty Brains is her motto - she got it all! 🥰

[@bibliophilelady6106]

Remember when the movie Encanto came out and Disney made a ton of merch for Isabella because they thought she would be the most popular and little girls just lost their minds over Luisa instead? I am feeling the same energy over Ilona. Girls are craving strong women role models. Thanks for giving them one!

[@FBombFitzgerald]

Good comparison.

[@clrbrk9108]

They better cast Ilona as Luisa when they eventually make the live action Encanto

[@b-meaker99]

​@@clrbrk9108I came here to say that very thing!!!!! 😆😆❤❤

[@WOZ24601]

I wonder if Ilona Mahr will be a popular Halloween choice this year. Simone Biles, Chappel Roan, Ilona Mahr.

[@greyklopstock7155]

​@@WOZ24601don't forget about Raygun!!

[@kcronin7211]

DAY DRINKING WITH ILONA MAHER. DO IT, SETH.

[@neshobaxxxi4532]

Omg yessss 🎉

[@AarynGulledge]

Seth would get WRECKED by her! I've seen rugby players drink. She'd probably have him "SHOOT THE BOOT". Look it up.

[@w0033944]

@@AarynGulledge I'm not sure she's that much of a heavy drinker

[@tgrigsby7]

And film it. Video or it didn't happen.

[@tgrigsby7]

@@w0033944 Which could make it even more epic if she did.

[@immoco20]

Tom Daley here making medal pouches for everybody... LOVE IT

[@roonil3931]

I adore him

[@Lea-zf7lm]

He's a really nice person, not just a fantastic athlete.

[@EverywhereAndyMorrison]

Legend

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Love the image of him knitting by the pool while waiting for him next jump during Tokyo Olympics? 😅 he's special 😅

[@immoco20]

@@___beyondhorizon4664 he is super... love his knitting videos!!

[@johnlovenhill1]

She is so smart and quick witted and such an excellent communicator.

[@lixak6307]

I cannot physically put into words how much I adore and admire this total stranger

[@Sheva.L]

Yes! thank you for this! This is exactly what I feel

[@marykay7878]

what a great role model for girls and women she is. i love seeing her and her family sooo much!

[@BettyofOOO]

As a woman with broad shoulders, I love this representation! Gorgeous and witty, great interview. ❤

[@jpt9328]

100% - growing up in the South & not being classically fem or petite, I leaned into strength, and absolutely love seeing Ilona rock those shoulders so proudly.

[@Doorkicker505]

Ladies with broad shoulders are hot 🔥 !!!!

[@likebot.]

Those shoulders look wonderful on her and her personality is strong. Gotta admit being a bit smitten.

[@michellethompson7885]

She’s stunning 😍

[@stevedoesnt]

She’s just a gorgeous human being.

[@atlanteancherub2560]

She’s freakin’ adorable-I love her personality, and she’s beautiful! Very excited to see her career progress.

[@chadsedrick7446]

She’s the real deal, folks! Ilona is a class act on the field and off the field. Such a wonderful representative for America for women’s rugby!

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Love seeing a bronze medalist who is fully enjoying & celebrating - as they should! 3rd best among hundreds of thousands to millions who will play the sport is stunning but gets overlooked too often. Getting to watch NZ win gold & deliver that spectacular haka was WOW, but the joy over that bronze is an incredible American moment.

[@MadsRott1976]

Thank you Seth Meyers for interviewing her! So pumped when I saw the TikTok of them!

[@RubyDoobieScoo]

This is what American Rugby needs, it can be a hard sport to understand early on so when people are invested in a player they'll watch long enough to understand it. Tune in for her, stick around for the sport.

[@thewhoda9996]

yep, she is doing a great job at bringing more people in with her fun social media posts

[@RobertJohnson-bj5lk]

Olympic 7x7 Rugby is absolutely Insane. I still don’t understand all the rules, but I love watching it. Plus, because each match is only 14 minutes long (2 x 7 minute halves), you get to see A Lot of different teams compete really quickly. It’s awesome.👍👍

[@eddiel7635]

7’s is a lot easier to follow than the 15 a side game so definitely more suited to newbies to the sport. The tournament structure works well, lots of games in quick succession.

[@eddiel7635]

@@RobertJohnson-bj5lk I’ve seen that tag football has taken off in the US and that definitely translates to Rugby 7’s. Also there is tag rugby, which will have even more crossover so maybe there is something they can leverage there.

[@1ACL]

She's such a star!

[@ScooterDoge]

He sure is.

[@monkeydkhan3665]

Yup, less of an M class mid series and more of a Red supergiant about to go supernova.

[@Lea-zf7lm]

She is fabulous! And we haven't heard the last from her, she will become even more successful in life.

[@acthegreat]

@@ScooterDogeyou’re weird

[@pxrays547]

@@acthegreat He saying he has a micropenis without saying he has a micropenis.

[@EllieAngharad91]

As a Brit, it's so good seeing the US start to appreciate Rugby more and more.

[@TravelwithTasha393]

I started to learn about rugby by watching invictus. Which is a good movie but I learned through that who were the all blacks and how physical it was.

[@w0033944]

Yes, though I don;t want them to get too good!

[@EverywhereAndyMorrison]

@@w0033944😂😂 we already struggling with the whole southern hemisphere

[@LouisvilleHawk]

I've always enjoyed watching. The tactics and rules aren't that far off from American football. She's a great ambassador for the sport for sure!

[@jaden5843]

I wish Rugby was popular in the US. Such a fun sport, would’ve loved to play it growing up

[@mullallylally]

She's literally the best such a babe such a beast and such a personality..she needs to be In a sitcom or have a tv show

[@StephenMintz]

Why? She’s killing the game on her social media with a gozillion fillers who adore her - I’m one of them. She’s a national treasure!

[@mullallylally]

@@StephenMintz facts

[@pxrays547]

@@StephenMintz Yes, keep play rugby, which she obviously loves doing.

[@graemesimpson1343]

Big respect from here in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our gold medal-winning wāhine toa/brave women are the best and it’s great to see the USA so competitive in women’s and men’s 7s…Ilona is a real hard case!

[@sknkwrksowner]

Your wahine toa did the damn thang just as I expected! I already follow Ms. Maher, but added a few of your ladies to the 'gram as well. Great tourney!

[@graemesimpson1343]

@@sknkwrksowner 7s is a great version of rugby, mate! Very impressed with the USA. Our women are currently world and olympic champs in 7s and world champs in 15s. Tumeke/Terrific!

[@thomasjoychild4962]

Yeah, the game and really everyone involved benefits from there being more strong and competitive players and teams around.

[@LindaGoodSongs]

She needs to host SNL. WE need her to host SNL

[@brentwalker8596]

Good call. She would kill it on SNL.

[@ZenGlenn]

🌠Cecily Strong vibes👌

[@valenticoo]

I have fallen in love with her, her humor es everything and she definitely deserves all the media exposure. Ill watch all Ilona content always

[@idgutz4910]

Love a beautiful strong woman that can be a role model!!! An inspiration!!!

[@burgaofficial]

You just gotta love her 🤌

[@stephanebrillant6604]

She looks like so much fun, she is witty, smart and thoughtful about what she want to convey. I love her message about body positivity and the impact that Rugby can have on your life. She is a great ambassador for her sport and and hopefully she can continue to have such public platform for all she brings.

[@danielcrouch6589]

I love that Lady!!! Thanks Seth for having her on your show. :)

[@Jennie-w7p]

Ilona Maher is the coolest ever. She got me into rugby. I will watch rugby games from now on. We need to watch out for this woman in 4 years - she and her team mates will take USA to a gold medal in the next Olympics. She is also a great role model. I love her attitude and we need more women in the public, athletes, actors, and everyone who actually have that body type - MY BODY TYPE. She is strong, and proud and comfortable. As it should be.

[@Amy-kr4tc]

We don’t have many rugby clubs here - but my daughter played ( she’s played soccer all her life also) when she was about 13/14. With few teams … she was on a 13-18 year squad! She was fearless and held her own. It’s a great sport.

[@temporaladvisor3958]

What a delightful sense of humor. Comedy is something to fall back on if this rugby thing doesn't work out. Seriously, Ilona is the perfect person to entice young woman/girls into playing rugby.

[@joebeech7423]

So happy to see her on your show. Ilona has been a breath of fresh air during the Olympics. And I’m thinking; a long time to come yet😀

[@DesertPackrat]

She is my favorite from the Olympics. So sweet, smart, talented and beautiful.

[@strathound]

She's so cool. Thanks for having her on your show. She's a national treasure.

[@tracierosado1]

Found her on IG/Tik Tok during the Olympics. She is hilarious and a bad ass rugby player! Love her!!! 🙌

[@pattyford1229]

I can’t get enough of her. She’s fantastic!

[@delightfulimpulse]

I’m so happy she’s getting the recognition she deserves!!

[@philmccraken]

I love her so much! She’s so funny and witty. So happy to see her and the whole team succeed

[@nayjay468]

She was fun in social media and a beast on the field.

[@barbaratyler2183]

I can see Jason kelce’s daughters playing rugby in a few more years 😂 watch out world…

[@jimloesel2849]

Kylie is going to get them into field hockey first!

[@29jgirl92]

She is such a queen!!! Love her!

[@atant2]

And she’s a nurse! ❤

[@SideB1984]

The way she displays her strength is beautiful and powerful!

[@bil8647]

So smart, articulate, funny. Ilona's physical strength and grace is spellbinding. Love what she has done for US Rugby. So proud of her.

[@hellovanite]

She's literally perfect 🥰

[@tastysandwhich]

I love that one of her first stops in the US was Seth's show. Of those available right now, his really is the first late night show I think I'd want to be on.

[@RichRobben1]

What a hero!!! One of the reasons to be a proud American.

[@ilonasmolders386]

As a fellow ilona... I'm so happy we have a famoos Ilona now!

[@Liolia22]

Me too, also a fellow Ilona 😁 There aren’t many famous folks with our name, and so many struggle to pronounce it. Especially in the US. Grateful for the exposure and from such an admirable figure, too!

[@ninetanyas]

i love her SO MUCH. so glad rugby is gaining popularity in the US, ESP women's rugby!

[@mrkeiths48]

Intelligent, alive and beautiful! Bring it Ilona!

[@nicolettemichelle888]

She’s such a joy! I love seeing her shine!

[@amyzynda3751]

She is such a joy. Rugby is such a wonderful sport-I played it myself as a younger woman. Through rugby I met my husband and so many great friends. Now our kids play! Truly a family game.

[@yeahdefinitely6607]

New Zealander here, we love our rugby, and this woman is so cool and great for the game!! Very happy for the US winning bronze at the Olympics

[@challalla]

I've been seeing and enjoying clips from her on social media (I follow a tiny bit of rugby sevens), but never in a billion years expected to see her on Seth Meyers! A worlds colliding moment for me. Hope rugby gets more exposure there in the US!

[@Toonksbell43]

1:43 "it looked unathletic" i love her 😂

[@Snoozems]

Love her! Such an incredibly strong person, in every sense of the word

[@petersahn1]

Rugby has the best ambassador with Ilona! As a rugby mom, I love it!

[@soul_asmr]

OMG had no idea the interview would be out so quickly!!!! Obsessed with our new Miss America 💕

[@hunt_trap_fish]

The way she described why rugby clicked w her is **PERFECT**. “They want you to run as fast as you can; they want you to tackle as hard as you can” - exactly. As a rugby player I hope she continues putting the message out and paving the way

[@natty.seguel]

I think I fell in love! She’s the funniest and sweetest girl ever!

[@edspace2402]

She's a brilliant rep for a fantastic sport, most Yanks I've spoken with that see Rugby for the first time are taken aback at the sheer physicality of it.

[@EricaGamet]

Yank, here! I used to watch them play rugby at a university in So. California back in the early 90s. My friends and I had no clue what the game was about (but I don't even understand American football, so...), but we loved watching the matches. We would just yell, "Crush him!" or whatever seemed appropriate (but probably wasn't). I trekked around the UK for a couple of months in the late 90s and watched a game of 10 year old boys playing rugby... and I don't know why it was so adorable, but hearing their high-pitched "grunts" as they were playing just made my day!

[@glendamaikell4224]

My brother played on an informal team in college in the early 70’s at Texas A&M. The first game I ever saw in person was while visiting the naval base in Corpus Christi about 1975. It was wild, and the fifth quarter was a lot of fun!

[@sloewensteady]

​@glendamaikell4224 did he play for the Crabs? I think they started in the mid 70s. That's how I got introduced to rugby, played a season with CCRFC my last year at college in Corpus

[@glendamaikell4224]

@@sloewensteady I don’t remember if they were any kind of formal team or if it was just Navy guys playing for the fun of it!

[@dmiller5765]

Ilona looks marvellous. Happy birthday! TY for speaking out about healthy bodies.

[@b-money5133]

Ms. Maher, you are a GEM and your fellow Americans THANK you for representing the very best of us in Paris! Cheers!

[@cuchelo1]

It *totally* makes sense that she's besties (virtually or IRL) with Kylie Kelce. They both have an amazing wit, quick responses, and a demeanor that makes you desperately want to be friends with them.🤣

[@mikebaker3712]

Taylor Swift needs to invite Ilona and Kylie on tour with her.

[@JennyEliz_IstheShiz]

Thank you for interviewing all the best people! Ilona Maher is my new role model!

[@monicamoreira]

She is awesome, so much fun to watch, a fresh face to a new generation ❤

[@superman5951]

She’s so great. Like I love watching her on instagram. She seems just nice but also fun, and it’s nice seeing that in the world. Like she doesn’t take crap from people, she just does what she wants

[@70foolio]

Thank you Ilona for introducing me to the sport and can’t wait to watch more in the future.❤❤❤

[@derangedpinke]

Yesssss I love this for her!!

[@michaelwaller342]

Love when two of my favourite people meet.

[@kimsampson41]

Ilona has such a great sense of humor. I follow her on social media.

[@needyverse]

Now that I see her with Seth, I'm realising they both kind of have the same energy in the way they quip about things!

[@mickydee62]

They are both New Englanders

[@fluentinsilence]

I knew OF women's rugby but never was too aware of it; this Olympics got me hooked. Definitely going to be checking out their schedule next year, try to attend.

[@TheSwedishJen]

Love to see her get her flowers!

[@kerrydruce2212]

Where is the documentary on this absolute rugby superstar?! Hope they have one lined up!!

[@thomasjoychild4962]

She and the team deserve it, though she speaks pretty well for herself already on her socials. :)

[@toniloyacano5134]

I absolutely celebrate and adore this woman - and all she stands for!!

[@reneeq3122]

She’s so cool and funny. What an icon and role model. You are inspirational!!!

[@031Productions]

Like llona I also found Rugby in my last year of high school and it was honestly like a mind-shift. I'd played Football for a few years, wrestled for over a decade, but something about Rugby really does hit fully different. The community is so great. My rugby boys, even though I haven't played for years, are some of the best people I've ever known. True gentleman and ladies off the field, and full animals on it. When you're on the field you are fully in the moment, hyper aware of everyone around you, and you're just in a true flow state once the ball starts moving. I've been in that same flow state on the mat, but that's for 4-5 minute intervals at most. Being in that 40 minute half, fully locked into the moment, is something my ADHD brain just doesn't do well and it's strangely healing and exhausting simultaneously.

[@LB_die_Kaapie]

Rugby is a fraternity. If youve played then You're family no matter where you are in the world.

[@woopimagpie]

When I played rugby I suffered a broken collarbone, a dislocated elbow, and a torn ACL. And that was just school rugby. It's not a sport for soft people, you can get pretty banged up. But it's like everyone gets all their aggression out on the field, because off the field those blokes are just the best people ever. You're right, it is kind of like a big family where everyone really does care for each other. I've found track and field to be similar, at least at club level anyway. What happens on the field stays on the field, we all have a BBQ and a beer afterwards and all is well in the world for a few hours.

[@emilyshepard8939]

I'm really glad you had Ilona on!! She is a national treasure!!

[@Onbronco77]

Definitely a breath of fresh air 👍 Love this young ladies attitude😘

[@maryhawaiian]

I've watched Ilona play for a couple of years, and I'm so glad that she (and he rest of the team) is helping women's rugby get some attention in the US. Rugby changed my life. The only sport I've found where there truly is a spot for EVERY body type, and every body type is celebrated. Tiny women with a supressed scrappiness, large women like myself that grew up embarassed to take up space, and everything in between - there's a place for you in rugby. And the push is to make your body and self as powerful as possible. After growing up playing soccer, fighting my body the whole time and the stress of performing... rugby gave me the freedom and community I needed to see myself as an athlete again.

[@sknkwrksowner]

Go you! I was happy she had such a good recovery from injury/surgery to be able to showcase in the Oly!

[@CopperAnna1307]

She’s awesome! Rugby is awesome! I’ve been a fan for just over 35 years. Wish it was more popular in the States.

[@emtvwheelworld]

LOVE her!! would be great if you could put in a good word for her to appear on SNL 👀

[@amybass8953]

Love her, she low key looks like a rugby Brooke Sheilds

[@cjcurtis8944]

100 percent

[@Trepanation21]

Wait, that's incredible. Good call!

[@marcd1981]

Great interview, she is quick witted and funny! My wife has been following her on social media for the past year and knew of her before the Olympic games. I thought it was interesting when she mentioned how the medal was already showing wear and tear. There is another Olympic medal winner that showed this not long after arriving back in the US. He put pictures up on line showing the plating, or whatever they used, wearing off. Supposedly the Olympic committee (IOC) has said they will replace the medals that have already shown wear.

[@656harnish]

I absolutely love her personality!

[@geawnahernandez3106]

I love her!!!! She made the Olympics so fun to watch!

[@dakotac180]

She's so charming, goofy and pretty, the dimples and super rugby strength have gotten her far.

[@clav93089]

One of just three Vermonters in the Summer Olympics and she really made a name for herself! We're all very proud of her back home!

[@newjawn9004]

Wonderful lady. Really enjoyed this interview. Very down to earth. All the best to her.

[@elizabethmccready]

Above everything else, Ilona is HILARIOUS! I love her and can't wait to see what she does in the future

[@rikkiechambers4959]

She is so amazing as a human and as an athlete ! And she is stunning in that outfit I love that she shows off her beautiful stature and not many have the shoulders to pull off that scarf look ! That’s what won her team that lovely medal !

[@melaniesmellanie]

I WILL NEVER NOT NEED MORE ILONA CONTENT ❤

[@freefoodchef7939]

What a refreshingly different kind of guest. I really enjoyed her interview. Seth's has the best mix of guests of all the late shows.

[@WilliamHallisey]

Ilona needs to be in the SI swimsuit issue. Let's start a petition.

[@EhNothing]

The women's rugby team was amaaaaazing to watch! Those women are incredible, and I am now a huge fan!

[@user-cr3fz8lz2i]

She is awesome! I wish someone would highlight how educated and intelligent she is too!!! She’s the total package!!! ❤❤❤

[@donnanancekivell9430]

I love this gal, she is a wonderful role model for young girls and women……..Donna in Toronto

[@lukebryan-i7m]

From the management team of Ilona Maher We appreciate your likes, comments and support. To reciprocate the love, Ilona Maher has decided to reach out to all his fans, And Have private conversations and heart to heart discussions. If you do want to be on the lucky list, here's the email address below;

[@AtlChris]

She is AMAZING and I became such a huge fan of her and the entire team. USA!

[@KJamesB]

She is stunning! Congratulations!

[@prisonersforprofit]

ilona is so personable and articulate. it was videos of ilona that clued me into their bronze medal win, and amazing run by spiff sedrick, who made a great tackle on australia's best player maddison levy.

[@LouisvilleHawk]

She's awesome! It was awesome to watch them win that bronze, and she is such a joy in so many ways!

[@aliciamonger2920]

I love this woman! She's amazing, beautiful and an all around wonderful woman.

[@bdol]

She is so witty and quick with it I loveeee her