Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce officially announces retirement

4 Mar 2024

Date: March 4, 2024 Time: 3:43 PM EST Source: CBS Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles' play-by-play commentator, Merrill Reese, gives an overview of the career of Jason Kelce.

Jason Kelce, who played as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 seasons, has confirmed his retirement from the National Football League (NFL).

Kelce recently held a press conference at the NovaCare Complex located in South Philadelphia. The conference lasted 45 minutes and was filled with emotion. In attendance were his parents, Ed and Donna, as well as his brother, Travis Kelce who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

As soon as she appeared wearing an Eagles T-shirt without sleeves, the woman of 36 years started weeping.

Kelce remarked, "We shall see the duration of this."

Kelce, overcome with emotion, spoke to the media about his successful tenure with the Eagles. He expressed gratitude towards those who supported him during his journey, not just during his time in Philadelphia, but from his younger years as well.

Kelce has been a part of the Eagles team for 13 seasons. During this time, he was able to achieve a major milestone by winning the Super Bowl. Interestingly, he also released two Christmas albums.

Kelce expressed his longstanding desire of playing his entire professional career in a single city, and he strongly believes that he has found the perfect city and team for him. He is unsure of what the future holds for him, but he is excited to take on new challenges and explore novel opportunities. He is proud of the lessons that he has learned while being part of this community, and he knows that the bond he shares with Philadelphians will endure forever.

The Philadelphia team selected Kelce from the University of Cincinnati in the sixth round during the NFL draft in 2011. Throughout his career, he played under the leadership of four different head coaches: Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson, and Nick Sirianni.

Throughout his professional career, Kelce received recognition through being chosen to participate in the Pro Bowl seven times and also was titled an All-Pro six times. Additionally, he obtained the honorable titles in 2023.

To put it plainly, I have to admit that I didn't quite expect to get to this point of my career. Actually, my expectations were too high. However, I put in a lot of effort and perseverance to come this far. Throughout my entire professional journey as an athlete, I always saw myself as the underdog. Ironically, I actually prefer being viewed that way. I found immense satisfaction in proving people wrong when they doubted me. Even my mom still tells people that if they want me to do something, they just have to say that I can't. I have to admit that this is true in many cases. In fact, having people who doubt me always served as a driving force for me.

Kelce will meet the requirements to potentially be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the year 2029.

"We cannot express enough how much Jason Kelce has impacted our organization, the City of Philadelphia, and our supporters," said Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie in a detailed statement shared on X. "For 13 years, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to us. What made his contribution exceptional was his genuine approach to everything he did. Jason was a phenomenal athlete; a top-notch player capable of making extraordinary feats. Nevertheless, it's hard to find a more suitable match between a player, a city, and a team than this one."

Jeff Stoutland, who is greatly respected for his coaching skills in the Eagles' offensive line, took to social media to express his gratitude towards Kelce.

"Dear Jason, I have really cherished the times I spent coaching you for the last 11 seasons. You should be proud of the progress you've made as a player and the impact you've had. I will miss not having you around when coaching. It has been my privilege and I want to wish you congratulations on an impressive career," wrote Stoutland on X.

Kelce's Super Bowl Parade Speech

Kelce is now a Philadelphia icon, admired for his contributions on the field and his presence off it. He has grown to love the city, referring to it as his second home. His fiery speech during the Eagles' Super Bowl parade in 2018 will always be etched in the memories of sports enthusiasts as one of the most unforgettable speeches ever given.

On Monday, the individual who is 36 years old declared that the remarkable discourse did not originate from him. Instead, he credited it to the city of Philadelphia.

Kelce said that he would always remember the parade and its significance for Philadelphia. It had brought happiness to their community and gave a sense of completion to many. The tales from supporters who had waited for generations to witness the triumph had added another layer of glory to the event.

During the course of the journey, I recall encountering a lady who was carrying the ashes of her deceased kin. She had made a vow that if the Eagles ever won the title, her loved one wouldn't miss the celebration. The words that were uttered came to her effortlessly and encapsulated the sentiments shared by us collectively, as players, teammates and inhabitants of this city. Although I delivered those orations, I felt that they belonged to Philadelphia as a whole.

Playing In Philly - A Blissful Experience!

While speaking to the press, Kelce expressed his gratitude towards all the individuals who have supported him throughout his journey towards becoming a renowned NFL player. He mentioned his parents, high school band teacher, as well as coaches Reid, Sirianni, and Stoutland.

Kelce also discussed his bond with his sibling and the experience of competing in the "most enthusiastic sports city in the United States."

Kelce expressed that it was quite fitting for him to have his profession fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. He mentioned that he understood that connection very intimately.

Next, Kelce elaborated on the necessary skills and qualities an athlete must possess in order to succeed in Philadelphia.

A few individuals face difficulties coping in this urban area. They are unable to deal with negative reactions, the press, or our supporters, Kelce explained. I consider it a fantastic fortune to participate in the most enthusiastic sports city in the United States. The eagerness to triumph in this locale has driven our group, enkindled it to embrace risks, improve weaknesses and work without pause for rest to triumph.

This is further information from Kelce regarding his experience playing in Philadelphia.

Sometimes, as a sports player, particularly those who are new to the place, you might not enjoy it. Nevertheless, when you've experienced it often, you begin to value it. The City of Philadelphia is well-known for honoring its own. The players turn into heroic figures in this town, including those whose accomplishments have lasted for decades. The Eagles are the primary attraction in this place, and they get discussed frequently in most situations.

With such a high level of focus on you, it's important to brace yourself for the difficult times that are sure to come, and to keep going in the face of any negative feedback. It's inevitable that they will call out your shortcomings, time and time again. However, if you display tenacity, drive, and a fierce spirit, you will earn their affections. This town will only adore you if you cherish it as you would a sibling.

If you want to win the love and respect of the fans, you must go above and beyond to show that you care about the team. The people in this town have been loyal to the team for generations and they won't tolerate any excuses or weak performances that don't represent the team's name. They have invested their whole lives in supporting the team, so it's important to take their opinions seriously. As a player, if you're not happy with what the fans and media are saying, it's simple: show them love and treat them like brothers. Play with passion and give it your all on the field. If you wear your heart on your sleeve, I guarantee that you will change the way people talk about you and the team.

Tom Dougherty works as a producer for CBS Philadelphia where he creates digital content. Prior to joining CBS News Philadelphia, Tom was involved in covering the NHL as well as university sports for NBC Sports Philadelphia. He is responsible for reporting on and giving updates about the latest news stories and sports events.

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