After 13 phenomenal seasons, Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce has reportedly decided to retire from the NFL.
There will be no storybook ending for the league’s best center. He had returned to Philadelphia hoping to get back to the Super Bowl and finish his career off with a ring – just like Michael Strahan did with the New York Giants.
However, it was not to be as the Eagles season came crashing down in brutal fashion.
Seeing how emotional Kelce was towards the end of Philly’s humiliating 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it became obvious that we were witnessing the final moments of him in an NFL uniform.
God take all of jason kelce’s pain away and give it to scooter braun please😞🙏 pic.twitter.com/PciLuvSuvY
— makenna🥄 (@eaglesstshirt) January 17, 2024
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported that Kelce informed his teammates about his retirement in the aftermath of the defeat.
#Eagles C Jason Kelce informed teammates after last night’s loss he will retire, as @AdamSchefter said. Kelce’s emotional final few moments on the field, in which he hugged longtime OL coach Jeff Stoutland, wrapped up a 13-year, seven-time Pro Bowl, six-time All-Pro career. https://t.co/7k5Pz5eXS9
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 16, 2024
Kelce, a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro, and one-time Super Bowl champion, has been a cornerstone of the Eagles dominant offensive line.
The 36-year-old veteran, who is the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the league and is a sure-fire Hall of Famer.
Following the playoff loss, Kelce appeared emotional on the field and declined to speak to reporters.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed his admiration for Kelce, stating: “He’s special, and I love him. He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around.”
“He’s a legend in the city – really in the league,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts added. “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?'”
I know the parade speech is getting a lot of play (rightfully so). Here’s Jason Kelce’s speech right after the game itself. The hall of fame speech is gonna be the stuff of legend 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/X38Jd76oVu
— 🦅Los🇵🇷 (@CjSubZero) January 16, 2024
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson revealed that Kelce had hinted to teammates that this would be his final season.
Johnson praised Kelce, saying: “I love him. He’s one of the best to ever play the game. The things he can do on the football field athletically – I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time.”
Kelce leaves behind a playing career at the peak of his popularity. His podcast, “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” is widely popular, and he has featured in Campbell’s Soup commercials alongside his brother and mother.
He was even selected as one of People’s Sexiest Men of the Year!
CORE MEMORY
I’m standing at the start of the Eagles parade. The bus departs. Suddenly I see Jason Kelce hop off and steal a bike. I scream into my microphone to the station producer “take me live take me live!” Little did I know he’d unload a few f-bombs on LIVE TV. Whoopsie… pic.twitter.com/OeMiJbQSbv
— Jamie Apody (@JamieApody) January 16, 2024
While his on-field career concludes, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kelce stays connected to the game. Having received positive reviews from last offseason’s NFL Broadcasting and Media Workshop, there’s speculation that the articulate and affable Kelce might venture into broadcasting.
The GOAT, Jason Kelce. pic.twitter.com/sT6f6hh00g
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) January 17, 2024
Kelce’s impact on and off the field is undeniable. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, he started all 16 games for Andy Reid’s Eagles and played in 193 career regular-season games and 12 postseason games, including starting in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots.
With his retirement, the league bids farewell to one of its finest characters and players.
My favorite quote of the season was one I couldn’t say on TV. Explaining the toll the tush push takes on you, @JasonKelce told me upon push, he yells, “FU@K MY LIFE!” (Jalen Hurts confirmed) Here’s to a man who also screams – and lives –
“I LOVE my life” just as passionately. pic.twitter.com/yd0g2az9bB— Laura Okmin (@LauraOkmin) January 16, 2024
What are your thoughts on Kelce retiring?
He’s clearly going out on the top of his game. He’s still playing at an All-Pro level, so unlike most players, he’s retiring on his terms.
Who is the more likable Kelce brother – Jason or Travis? (I think we all know the answer to that.)
Do you think Jason will be good in broadcasting, assuming that’s the route he takes???