The six-time All-Pro Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce announces retirement on Monday in an emotional press conference at the Philadelphia Eagles Training Center at the NovaCare Complex.
Kelce, 36, posted his statement on social media on Monday morning, saying, “No Keg videos this year, I have come to a decision and will address it at a press conference this afternoon.” The Eagles fans got to know immediately what he wanted to mean.
At Eagle’s headquarter, Kelce gave an emotional and tearful speech recounting his journey through the game and expressed his gratitude to all who had helped him to reach his destination as a player. He has never stepped back to express his emotion in the public domain, and this was no exception. During yesterday’s press conference, he stopped on several occasions to let out the tears and compose himself. Kelce, 36, reminisced about his love of the game, which began when he was a boy in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and shared memories 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, nearly 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 chuckle: “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.”
He went on thanking his coach, his team-mates and ‘cafeteria workers’ along the way – there are too many to mention – including his wife, Kylie, mother, Donna, father Ed and brother Travis.
During his speech, he described his special relationship with his brother Travis, who himself is a star player of Kansas City Chiefs. He 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 childhood days playing football, armed with Capri Sun drinks which Donna used to pack for them.
The running theme of his Prime Documentary that released last year was the toll that the game was taking on his health — and the effect it was having on his young family.
Following a “disappointing” conclusion to the Eagles’ season, marked by a wild-card playoff defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a score of 32-9 on January 15th, Kelce’s determination appeared evident on his face post-game.
Kelce got teary-eyed as he talked about playing backyard football with his brother, the love from his folks, and the support of his coaches, even his band teacher, who all helped shape him. But what really choked him up was his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl win, the big parade, and the special bond with his offensive line coach meant the world to him. Remembering all the good times, the victories, and the friendships, especially with his Eagles teammates and his little brother Travis, who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, overwhelmed Kelce. It took him almost 45 minutes to wrap up his speech at a packed auditorium, but everyone knew what he was going to say from the moment the press conference was announced – It was time to retire.
Kelce has played 13 seasons for the Eagles and won a Super Bowl. He released two Christmas albums.
“It has always been a goal of mine to play my whole career in one city. And I couldn’t have dreamt a better one and a better fit if I tried,” Kelce said. “I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await. And I know that I carry with me the lessons from my time here and that forever we can all share the bond of being Philadelphians.
Philadelphia selected Kelce in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout his tenure, he played under the guidance of four head coaches: Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson, and Nick Sirianni.
In his colorful career, Kelce was named to seven Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro six times. He was both in 2023.
He reminisced about a pivotal moment in his life during a gathering at Buffalo Billiards following an Eagles Christmas celebration years ago, where fate intervened, changing the course of his life forever. It was there that he first met his future wife, Kylie, a meeting that catalyzed his career’s ascent. Presently, they are nurturing their family of three young daughters in the Philadelphia vicinity.
“I must admit, I officially overrated. Vastly overrated,” Kelce said. “But 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. Few things gave me more joy than proving someone wrong. My mother used to tell people and still says to this day, ‘If you want Jason to do something, all you have to is tell him he can’t.’ And that was true in more ways than I care to admit. I relish doubters, they fueled a fire within.”
Kelce has lots of options ahead of him. He’s doing great with his podcast with his brother and everyone loves him, especially in Philly. He’s smart, funny, and knows how to inspire others. He could do anything he wanted. But right now, he’s not sure what to do next. It’s totally fine if he takes a break for a while. He’s earned it after all he’s done.