Eagles Center Jason Kelce Announces His Retirement
Last year after the Philadelphia Eagles lost Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs, all-pro center Jason Kelce considered retirement. He considered retirement but ended up signing an agreement to play one more year. After the Eagles 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jason announced that he’ll be officially retiring after 13 NFL seasons. Kelce will likely be Hall of Fame bound one day after being selected to six Pro Bowls, and helping Philly win Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. He’ll always be remembered as one of the game’s finest players, with a colorful personality.
Jason Kelce was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he played all sixteen games under former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. Kelce has played in 193 regular season games for Philadelphia, with 12 appearances in the postseason as well. The 36-year-old center was emotional on the Eagles sideline as time was winding down against Tampa during the NFL Wild Card Round. He knew and eventually told the team that he was moving on from his playing days. Jason has gained national notoriety nowadays from his podcast, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, and also because his brother Travis is dating one of the biggest pop icons the world has seen in quite some time.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said, "He's special, and I love him. He's one of the most special guys I've been around." Philly’s right tackle Lane Johnson said, "If it was his last game, he was one of the best teammates I've ever had.” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said, "He's a legend in the city, really in the league. I don't want to do a disservice to him and the things he's been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn't come easy. 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, but he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I've learned from him. He'll forever have a special place in my heart."
