Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce tearfully announced his retirement Monday after 13 seasons with the team.
The likely Hall-of-Famer sat down wearing a sleeveless Eagles t-shirt to explain his decision while thanking those who had helped him along the way, including parents Ed and Donna, younger brother Travis and wife Kylie.
“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that gets it right,” he said during his 45-minute speech at the team’s NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia.
“The best way to explain it is, what draws you to your favorite song, favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel, the seriousness of it, the intensity of it
“Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt. There was a visceral feeling with football, unlike any sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could hit somebody, run around like a crazed lunatic and then get told, ‘Good job.’ I love football.”
Kelce, 36, was drafted in the sixth round in 2011 out of the University of Cincinnati — where he played with Travis.
“We envisioned making winning plays day after day,” he said, describing the brothers’ earliest exploits. “We won countless Super Bowls in our minds before ever leaving the house. And when we weren’t playing we were at the other one’s games.”
Anchoring the Eagles’ offensive line for four different head coaches, Kelce made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a first-team All-Pro six times, winning Super Bowl LII in a classic against the New England Patriots in 2018 and losing Super Bowl LVII in another classic against Travis and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.
“It has always been a goal of mine to play my whole career in one city,” Kelce said. “I couldn’t have dreamt a better one if I tried.”
ESPN first reported that Kelce planned to retire following the team’s January loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this year’s playoffs. After the Eagles were knocked out of contention, Kelce made more headlines for fully enjoying his younger brother’s third run to a championship.
“I have been the underdog my entire career,” Kelce said. “And I mean this when I say it, I still wish I was. Few things gave me more joy than proving someone wrong. I relished doubters. They fueled a fire within.”
During his speech, Kelce did not specify what his next steps would be.
“I don’t know what’s next,” the “New Heights” podcast host said.
“Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of my heart. It has truly been a privilege.”
“That’s all I got,” he said before getting up and hugging his family.
