Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has told teammates he intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons, three people informed of the decision told The Associated Press. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday out of respect for Kelce’s decision, which has not yet been made public.
Quick Read
- Jason Kelce’s Retirement Plans: Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has informed teammates of his intention to retire after 13 seasons in the NFL, according to three sources who spoke to The Associated Press.
- Sources Remain Anonymous: The sources remained anonymous, respecting Kelce’s privacy as he has not publicly announced his decision.
- Emotional Moment Post-Game: Kelce was visibly emotional after the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card game, declining to discuss his plans with the media.
- Past Considerations of Retirement: Kelce has previously contemplated retirement but chose to continue playing, aiming for another Super Bowl run.
- Coach’s Admiration: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni expressed his deep appreciation for Kelce, describing him as a special individual and an important part of the team.
- Kelce’s NFL Journey: Drafted in the sixth round in 2011, the 36-year-old Kelce has been a key player on the Eagles’ offensive line, overcoming injuries early in his career.
- Family Connection in Football: Kelce’s brother, Travis Kelce, plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, and the brothers faced each other in the last Super Bowl.
- Kelce’s Off-Field Persona: Beyond football, Kelce is known for his vibrant personality in Philadelphia, engaging in various community and fan activities.
- Iconic Super Bowl Parade Speech: Kelce’s passionate and explicit speech at the 2018 Super Bowl parade cemented his status as a Philadelphia icon.
- Team’s Respect and Love: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts spoke highly of Kelce, acknowledging his challenging journey, valuable mentorship, and special place in his heart.
The Associated Press has the story:
Eagles center Jason Kelce intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons
Newslooks- PHILADELPHIA (AP) —
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has told teammates he intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons, three people informed of the decision told The Associated Press.
They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday out of respect for Kelce’s decision, which has not yet been made public.
Kelce was in tears throughout the end of Philadelphia’s 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card game on Monday night. The respected team leader declined to talk to the media about his plans after the game. He has wavered in the past about retirement in recent seasons before ultimately deciding to return for one more run at the Super Bowl.
“I love him. Yeah, obviously we’re not there at that position yet, ready to talk about that, but he’s special and I love him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said after the game. “He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around. He’s always got a place here and always want him to play.”
The 36-year-old Kelce was a sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft.
Kelce is the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The brothers played each other last season in the Super Bowl — won by the Chiefs — and co-host a podcast.
The burly, bushy-haired and bearded Kelce has been a stalwart of the offensive line since he was drafted and as an Iron Man after he missed most of the 2012 season with a partially torn MCL and torn ACL.
He’s a beloved Philly personality and has done it all off the football field, too, such as singing the national anthem at a 76ers game, partying with the Phanatic and pounding a beer to a roaring ovation at a Phillies postseason game.
But the moment that endeared him for life to the Philly faithful came at the Super Bowl parade in 2018 when he dressed as one of Philadelphia’s famed Mummers, and the ultimate underdog delivered a fiery, profane speech that whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
“No one likes us! No one likes us! No one likes us! We don’t care,” Kelce exclaimed. “We’re from Philly! (Expletive) Philly. No one likes us! We don’t care!”
“He’s a legend in the city. Really in the league,” Eagles QB Jalen Hurts said. “I don’t want to do a disservice to him and the things he’s been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn’t come easy. It’s been a long, long time coming for him, and every year since I’ve been here it’s been, are you going to come back? But he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I’ve learned from him. He’ll forever have a special place in my heart.”
