Chip Gaines Says Jason Kelce’s ‘Furry’ Chest Inspired Him to Create New Game Show Human vs. Hamster

The ‘Fixer Upper’ star recalled how one of Kelce’s iconic football moments sparked his idea for the upcoming Magnolia Network series

Chip Gaines has Jason Kelce to thank for inspiring his upcoming Magnolia Network show!

The Fixer Upper star, 49, revealed that one of Kelce’s iconic football moments sparked the idea for his game show Human vs. Hamster during a Tuesday, Oct. 22 appearance on Today alongside wife Joanna Gaines.

That’s the mind of Chip Gaines,” he told hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb of the new series. “I feel like I was inspired. It was maybe, six, eight months back and Jason Kelce rips his shirt off at some stadium. Something about that moment inspired this idea. Hamsters versus humans.”

The Bobcat Company ambassador is likely referring to the playoff game back in January that saw the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in New York. As his brother Travis Kelce played for the Chiefs, Jason showed his support for the big game by stripping off his shirt and cheering along with the fans.

Chip added that because the retired NFL player really should be credited for sparking “the whole idea,” he felt that he should “throw him a bone” during the episode

When I saw him rip his shirt off I just felt like, I wish I was furrier. I wish I was hairier. Have you ever had that thought, ladies?” he joked to Guthrie and Kotb.

Though she didn’t answer, Guthrie expressed her disbelief over how skilled the hamsters are in the show.

“Hamsters are so smart,” Joanna agreed, “and they’ve been training. You’ll be very surprised when you watch.”

Echoing his wife, Chip said they are “terribly athletic little creatures.”

The world will get to see Chip’s out-of-the-box idea come to life when Human vs. Hamster starts streaming on Max Nov. 21.

The upcoming show is described as “a cheeky eight-episode competition series where the world’s most remarkable pet hamsters go toe-to-toe with teams of humans in scaled challenges,” according to a press release.

In addition to Human vs. Hamster, Magnolia Network is debuting two more reality shows this fall, including a talent competition series called Second Chance Stage and the first-ever roller skating competition series,