Jason Kelce is stepping down from the football field; ESPN and NFL cited their sources saying that the 36-year-old Philadelphia Eagles center reportedly played his last game on Monday.
After the team’s wildcard playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32-9, sources claimed to ESPN that Kelce told his teammates in the locker room that he planned to retire.
Although Kelce refused to be interviewed by the media in the locker room, Eagles head coach Nick Sirriani was not afraid to express his admiration for the player, who played all 13 seasons in Philadelphia.
He said he loves Kelce, believes him to be a special player, and adores him. He is one of the most special players in the team and always has a spot in the locker room.
Kelce was emotional when he was seen standing on the sidelines. He watched the Eagles for one last time as a team member.
Perhaps the best center in the NFL
Regarded by the league as “possibly the best center in the NFL,” Kelce had an incredible 13-year career filled with highlights, including the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl victory, five All-Pro selections, and seven Pro Bowl appearances.
In 2023, when the Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce made history by playing against his brother, tight end Travis Kelce of the Chiefs. This was his most recent Super Bowl performance.
According to ESPN, quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters before Monday’s game that Kelce would always have a place in his heart. He is a legend in the city and the league.
Hurts said, he doesn’t want to undervalue him or the accomplishments he has made. It wasn’t an easy path to where he is now. For him, it’s been a very long time coming, and while we’ve been here, whether they’re making a return is always asked.
A similar idea was echoed by offensive lineman Lane Johnson when speaking with reporters. According to the site, the right tackle declared, that he’s one of the best to ever play the game. The things he can do on the football pitch athletically, he believes that we will not see another one like him for a long time.
Kelce has had 13 impressive years
In addition, Kelce has sustained many major injuries during his remarkable 13 years in the league, which started in 2013 when Andy Reid selected him in the sixth round.
He had a partial rupture of his ACL and tore his MCL in 2012. According to a Crossing Broad article at the time, he had injuries to his foot, elbow, and shoulder in addition to a Grade 2 MCL injury in 2018.
In a 2022 filmed Amazon Prime documentary, he said that logically, everything indicated him to stop playing football, and he had to tear his body apart for it.
After the Eagles’ Super Bowl success the previous year, the documentary followed his decision-making process on whether to play this season. He said it is getting harder and harder to play. There have been little things that are not big yet but are going to turn into big things the longer he plays.
Kelce’s Wife and Kids
As a father of three little kids, Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 2, and Bennett, 11 months, he was as open about his concerns.
In an emotional moment with former Eagles player Connor Barwin, he said he has two girls, and he is afraid about what the impacts of playing football are going to mean in the long run.
Some people end up with CTE, and some guys live long, healthy lives. He’s not sure what will happen.
Kylie Kelce, his wife said that he has been saying for years that he will retire, she said she tells people irrespective of what happens in the game and however it ends, she just wants him to retire when he can still get down on the floor and play with the kids happily and comfortably.
He chose to come back another season and signed a one-year contract. This news was announced in March 2023 after a disappointing Super Bowl loss.
