Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ center and one of the best players in NFL history at his position, has decided to retire after 13 seasons in the league.
Kelce made the announcement on Wednesday, two days after the Eagles’ playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kelce, 36, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Eagles in 2011 and became a cornerstone of the franchise. He started 193 regular-season games and 12 playoff games, including the Eagles’ first and only Super Bowl victory in 2018. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams, and was widely regarded as one of the smartest and most versatile linemen in the game.
Kelce’s retirement comes amid conflicting reports about his future. On Monday, ESPN reported that Kelce had told his teammates in the locker room that he was retiring, but Kelce denied that on his podcast, “New Heights”, on Wednesday. He said he was still weighing his options and that he was not ready to make a definitive decision right after an emotional game.
“I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don’t,” Kelce said on his podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Travis Kelce, the star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. "There’s too much emotion in the moment, there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out. I’m really not. It’s just something that I think, when it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had."
Kelce also got emotional on his podcast, as he reflected on his career and thanked his teammates, coaches, fans, and family. He said he was proud of what he had accomplished and that he had no regrets.
“I had a f**king blast playing this game,” Kelce said. "I had a blast playing with the guys that I played with. I had a blast playing for the coaches that I played for. I had a blast playing in front of the fans that I played in front of. And I had a blast playing with my brother."
Kelce’s retirement leaves a huge void for the Eagles, who will have to find a replacement for their leader and anchor on the offensive line. Kelce was not only a dominant blocker, but also a vocal and charismatic presence in the locker room and on the field. He was known for his fiery speeches, his hilarious costumes, and his memorable moments, such as his epic rant at the Super Bowl parade in 2018.
Kelce’s legacy will live on in Philadelphia, where he is revered as one of the greatest Eagles of all time and a fan favorite. He will also be remembered as one of the best centers to ever play the game, and a likely candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
By Salam Bustanji
