After 13 seasons in the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has announced his retirement. Kelce, known for his fiery passion and leadership on the field, leaves behind a legacy of hard work and dedication to the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles center, who was drafted by the team in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, announced today his decision to retire from the NFL after 13 seasons in the league, seven Pro Bowl selections, six first-team All-Pro selections, and one Super Bowl title.
At the Philadelphia Eagles Training Center at the NovaCare Complex, Kelce, 36, in an emotional press conference shared memories about his love of the game, which began when he was a boy in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and reminisced about football from his childhood, college and NFL career.
“So this all brings us here to today, where I announce that I am retiring,” Kelce said, through tears, practically 40 minutes into his speech. “Where I announce I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and today, I must admit, I am officially overrated, vastly overrated.”He continued, with a laugh: “It took a lot of hard work and determination getting here.”
“I have been the underdog my entire career, and I mean this when I say it: I wish I still was.”
The father of three thanked numerous coaches, teammates, and “cafeteria workers” along the way — too numerous to name, he said — in addition to his wife, Kylie, mother Donna, father Ed, and brother Travis.
In his speech, in which Kelce stopped many times to hold back tears, the NFL star spoke of the special bond he has with his brother, and said before speaking about their bond: “This is where it’s going to go off the rails.”
“We won countless Super Bowls in our minds, before even leaving the house,” Jason said, recalling their days playing football, armed with Capri Sun drinks that their mom packed for them.
Throughout his career, Kelce was a key player for the Eagles, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and helping lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2018. His tenacity and grit were evident in every game he played, inspiring teammates and fans alike.
Thank You – Jason Kelce Officially Retires
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Kelce’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Eagles and the NFL as a whole. His presence on the field will be sorely missed, but his impact on the game will not be forgotten. We salute Jason Kelce for his outstanding career and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Photo Credit: Instagram
