The Eagles’ star center announced his decision in an emotional press conference
Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce has ended his illustrious career.
After 13 seasons as a professional, all with the Eagles, Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL this Monday in an emotional press conference.
“Thirteen seasons in Philadelphia and I look back on a career with ups and downs. I want to thank the four head coaches I played for: Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni,” said Jason Kelce while trying to hold back tears. “I want to thank [el gerente general] Howie Roseman for recruiting me, and for always working hard to make the team better, even from the other side of the building during that season.
Jason Kelce is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Perry Knotts/Getty Images
“I won’t forget the call I got from Andy Reid on draft day, and my father running into the room, tears streaming down his face, because his son’s dreams had just come true. It had just been announced on television that his son had been drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Jason Peters go one-on-one with Trent Cole…it made me question if I was good enough to stay in this league. Then I saw the next pair as kids and I said, ‘Ok, I do belong here.'”
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Jason Kelce is just the fifth center in NFL history with six or more first-team All-Pro selections, the other four — Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson and Jim Ringo — are in the Hall of Fame. . Since the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970, Jason Kelce is the only center with six first-team All-Pro selections and one Super Bowl title.
The Eagles drafted Jason Kelce in the sixth round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Cincinnati and he immediately took over as the starter, becoming the anchor of their offensive line.
Among the many anecdotes that Jason Kelce shared during his press conference, he talked about how he experienced, with his father, the recruitment of his brother, Travis Kelce, by the Kansas City Chiefs; of the death of Garrett Reid, son of head coach Andy Reid, during his second training camp; of the first game under Chip Kelly and the breakneck speed of that offense; how Doug Pederson had the guts to send the ‘Philly Special’ in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, and how Nick Sirianni sent him cases of beer to convince him not to retire. “He knows the way to my heart,” Jason Kelce revealed.
“There is no way I would be here without the bond I share with Travis,” he said. “Some find it difficult to play in this city. They can’t handle the boos. Consider it a blessing to play for the most demanding fans… At times, you hate him as an athlete, especially those new to the city, but then you end up appreciating him. No one celebrates sports in our town…with that kind of attention, you have to be ready for the lows, and persevere. Yes, they will let you know when you’re not doing it right…but they’ll love you if you love them like they do. “You love your brother. They love you if you show without a doubt that you care.”
“As players, you write the narratives. The media and fans will only write what you give them.”
Jason Kelce missed a month of action due to sports hernia surgery in 2014 and had a difficult year in 2015, raising questions about his long-term status in Philadelphia, but he ended up setting a franchise record by starting 156 consecutive regular season games despite dealing with multiple injuries.
Information from Tim McManus was used in the writing of this note.
2024-03-04 18:45:00
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