Philadelphia Eagles fans came to the facility on Monday well-prepared for long-time center Jason Kelce‘s retirement announcement. Several fans pulled up to his press conference with a keg full of Miller Lite.
Unfortunately, the offensive lineman was too emotional after his announcement speech to stop and share a pint with those gathered outside but he waved and shared his gratitude on the way out. It was a draining day for Kelce who immediately started crying upon starting his acknowledgments at the podium
Kelce put together a decorated career for the Eagles after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati. He became a six-time All-Pro selection and a seven-time Pro Bowler as a key part of the Philadelphia offensive line and he seemed to get better and better with age.
Fans outside the Novacare Complex with a keg for @JasonKelce upon his retirement. @6abc pic.twitter.com/8mCytnG8Tl
— John Paul (@JPaulOnAir) March 4, 2024
Joining the Eagles’ offensive line as a rookie pushing an incumbent starter, Kelce won the job during his first preseason. He went on to become the first rookie in Eagles history to start all 16 games at center.
After earning All-Pro First Team honors in 2017, Kelce helped the Eagles clinch a victory in Super Bowl LII, defeating the New England Patriots 41–33. It took several seasons but he made it back to the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2022, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, and his brother Travis. He toyed with retirement after that loss but opted to return for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy in 2023.
Not a dry eye in the house for Kelce’s retirement
While sharing words of gratitude following his 13 terrific seasons of pro football, Jason Kelce thanked his team, the NFL, teammates and coaches from his decade-plus on the field, and of course, made sure to single out his mother, Donna Kelce, for making his dream happen. He stated of her:
“I won’t forget my mother, becoming Mom of the NFL, a representative for all moms out there who have sacrificed so much for their children.”
The lineman also dedicated several paragraphs of his speech to his younger brother, Travis. Cameras were trained on the Kansas City Chiefs star during the announcement and, like Jason, the tears were flowing.
Okay, who's cutting onions? 😭 pic.twitter.com/1ZwIfqS8J2
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 4, 2024
“We invented games, imagined ourselves as star players of that time,” Kelce said. “We’d envision ourselves making winning plays day after day on Coleridge Road. We won countless Super Bowls in our minds before ever leaving the house.”
Jason Kelce will be eligible to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029. His brother, now a three-time Super Bowl champion, will inevitably join him soon after.
