On Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles veteran Jason Kelce lost more than just their chances of winning an NFL title.
End of an Era: Jason Kelce Signals Retirement in Tearful Post-Game Announcement
Jason Kelce, a six-time All-Pro and future Hall of Famer, was purportedly lost to injury by the team after a disappointing season in which they failed after a strong start. The Miami Dolphins’ 32-9 defeat was Kelce’s final game, he informed teammates in the locker room, according to a social media post by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The stories were verified early on Tuesday by the Athletic, the Associated Press, and other media. During his tenure with the Birds, he progressively became more effective on the pitch.
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Off the pitch, too, his influence was felt.
The Eagles organization stated that Kelce had given “significant time and resources to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation over the years.” Additionally, Kelce and his brother Travis topped the Billboard charts this past holiday season with their song “Fairytale of Philadelphia.” And no Eagles supporter will ever forget Kelce’s impassioned remarks during the Philadelphia Museum of Art festivities following the Birds’ historic 2018 Super Bowl victory. Here’s another look at the amazing speech in honor of Kelce’s time in the City of Brotherly Love and the equally amazing mummer attire.
Philadelphia Eagles Icon Jason Kelce Hangs up the Cleats After 13 Stellar NFL Seasons
An effective In what could have been his last NFL game, Jason Kelce sobbed on the Philadelphia Eagles sideline on Monday night and then hurried to locate his family following the team’s playoff defeat. Standing on the sidelines to witness the final play of the Eagles season—which concluded with a 32-9 loss in the opening round of the playoffs on Monday—Kelly, 36, appeared to be crying. Several accounts claim that it might have also been the last play of Kelce’s illustrious 13-year NFL career. Since the Eagles selected him in the 2011 draft, Kelce—the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce—has spent his entire playing career with the organization.
According to ESPN, the Eagles center informed his teammates following the game that he intended to retire. The news was also announced by the NFL on Monday morning. After the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kelce told the media, “No guys, not today,” refusing to speak with them. During the game’s last play, the NFL veteran was shown on television embracing his longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland before jogging toward the fans to find his family. The NFL released a video showing Kelce holding his wife Kylie and shaking hands with his father Ed, who was present at the Tampa Bay game.
After the star center publicly and emotionally addressed the possibility of retiring from the game in the offseason, many have wondered if this will be his last season in the NFL. The seven-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion sobbed during a heartbreaking segment in his Kelce documentary on Prime Video, talking about football’s physical and familial effects.
Shortly after the Eagles lost Super Bowl LVII last year, Jason and Kylie, 31, welcomed Bennett Llewellyn Kelce, their third daughter.
Get the best of PEOPLE, from captivating human interest stories to juicy celebrity news, by subscribing to their free daily newsletter. Don’t miss a story. He had a partial rupture of his ACL and tore his MCL in 2012. According to a Crossing Broad report at the time, he had injuries to his foot, elbow, and shoulder in addition to a Grade 2 MCL injury in 2018.
At one point, Jason states, “Every rational thing is telling me I should stop playing football.” “I have to rip my body apart.” Before this week’s Eagles playoff game, Kelce hinted at his potential retirement once more, telling reporters, “You never know when that’s gonna be whenever you’re older in your career.”
Beyond the Field: Jason Kelce’s Legacy and Impact on and off the Pitch
Jason Kelce, the center for the Philadelphia Eagles, is supposedly nearing the conclusion of his 13-year NFL career.
Following the Eagles’ sad playoff elimination at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many reports have revealed that the six-time All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion, and older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce informed his teammate that he intended to retire. Throughout the latter moments of Monday night’s 32-9 NFC wild-card game loss for Philadelphia, Kelce broke down in tears.
The probable Hall of Fame player has not publicly confirmed the news and refrained from speaking to the media after the game. But Kelce reportedly announced to people in the post-game locker room that he would eventually give up football after considering the decision for a few years. In the Amazon streaming series that followed Kelce and the Eagles’ 2022 journey to the Super Bowl, Kelce was seen hesitating to play in the NFL in 2023. The program, which also focused on Kelce’s life off the pitch with his wife and girls, won over more NFL fans to the already adored lineman.
Jason Kelce Bids Farewell to NFL Career After Eagles Playoff Exit
After the defeat, Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni mentioned that the lineman would be leaving the game.
“I love him. He’s special, and I love him, but obviously, we’re not there yet, ready to talk about it,” Sirianni remarked at his news conference following the game. He is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. He always feels welcome here and is encouraged to play.”
The quarterback for the Eagles, Jalen Hurts, also highlighted Kelce’s legendary influence.
“He’s the city’s legend. In the league, really,” Hurts remarked. “I don’t want to diminish him or the accomplishments he has made possible. It wasn’t an easy path to where he is now. For him, it’s been a very long time coming, and every year while I’ve been here, I’ve been asking myself, would you return? However, he is aware of my affection and gratitude for him. He is aware of how much I’ve picked up from him. He will always have a special place in my heart. The 36-year-old offensive tackle was chosen by former Eagles head coach Andy Reid in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.
Two seasons later, Reid’s relationship with the elder Kelce played a significant role in the now-Chiefs head coach deciding to take a chance on his younger brother at tight end. Both players’ public exposure has been aided by the Chiefs head coach’s candid discussion of his coaching experiences with the brothers on their well-regarded podcast, New Heights.
Except for the time he missed in 2012 due to a partially torn MCL and ruptured ACL, Kelce started nearly every game during his long and illustrious NFL career with the Eagles. The cherished Philadelphia sports icon will likely be best remembered for his Mummers statement during the Eagles Super Bowl Parade in 2018 rather than his outstanding performance on the pitch. Nobody is fond of us! Nobody is fond of us! Nobody is fond of us! We don’t give a damn,” Kelce declared. “We’re from Philadelphia! Philly (expletive). Nobody is fond of us! We’re not concerned!
