After 13 years of playing in the NFL as a center for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Kelce finally announced his retirement. He was part of the 2011 NFL draft and was selected by then-head coach Andy Reid to the Eagles, where he played his entire football career. He was born in 1987 and played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Jason Kelce is also known in the NFL as one of the two Kelce brothers, the other being his younger brother Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason is married to Kylie Kelce and they have three daughters, Wyatt, Elliotte, and Bennett.
“Seeing Kelce finally retire was very emotional for me as I’ve been supporting him for years as an Eagles fan,” said Zhimeri Heredia (12).
Jason Kelce won six first-team All-Pros, seven Pro Bowls, and one Super Bowl in his NFL career. Everyone knows him as the best center in this generation of the NFL. He has been saying that he would retire for many years, which resulted in him getting his very own documentary, Kelce. It wasn’t until the first round of playoffs this season when the Eagles lost to the Buccaneers, that Kelce was found crying after the loss. Many people expected that he was crying because he was retiring, but it wasn’t until he went live on Monday, March 4th, 2024 that he confirmed his decision to the press.
As well as being a successful athlete, Jason Kelce shows his appreciation to his community through acts of service. He has a charity called the Be Philly Foundation to help improve the Philadelphia community. Kelce uses his off-field presence to further his goal of becoming a more helpful person.
“Kelce has been an icon both on and off the field with his sportsmanship and companionship to the fans,” said Heredia (12).
Many people know Jason Kelce because of his brother Travis Kelce. Both brothers host a podcast called New Heights on the streaming platforms. Since Travis started dating Taylor Swift, Jason has expanded his fan base, making his retirement announcement widespread and leaving many disappointed.
“Even as a Chiefs fan, I respect Kelce for his career as he was always a competitor,” said Eric Hong (12).
