by Ed Smith @edsmith7133
Jason Kelce, the darling of the 2024 NFL postseason, announced his plans to retire after thirteen seasons. Bare-armed with his trademark beard, wit, and sincerity, Kelce announced that he has played his final NFL game. Tears flowed freely from the gentle giant as he reminisced on the game that has been his life since the age of twelve. The player who has been deemed the ceremonial “Mayor of Philadelphia” recalled where he came from, what he went through, what it means to be a player in Philadelphia, and as many of the people he could point to as guiding lights of his career. As always, Jason Kelce seemed more like everybody’s older brother rather than just the only brother of Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis. In a demonstration of class, grace, inspiration, and gratitude for all football fans, but especially those of Eastern Pennsylvania, he effortlessly shared not only perspective but also direction for those who come after his ride off into the sunset.
Jason Kelce Career Highlights
Kelce was a sixth-round draft pick out of Cincinnati selected by the Philadelphia Eagles from a traded pick by the Baltimore Ravens that netted that team an offensive tackle (Jah Reid) who ended up playing only half as long (in years) as this six-time All-Pro. An expected first-ballot Hall of Famer, Jason Kelce played for four head coaches – Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pedersen, and Nick Siriani. The last two helped bring him to the pinnacle of football with appearances at the game’s biggest stage – the Super Bowl. The first trip ended in a victory featuring a play simply known as the “Philly Special.” The second ended in heartbreak as Kansas City (and brother Travis) won Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. It was a night of mixed emotions for Jason, who effortlessly balanced his own disappointment with excitement for his family.
This year, when the Eagles were eliminated from postseason play at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jason Kelce joined family and his brother’s friends in Buffalo to cheer on Travis as the Chiefs continued their run to another Super Bowl victory. A known beer lover, Jason joined the so-called “Bills Mafia” (fanbase) in drinks before and during the game. In fact, he was at one point captured on video by the NBC broadcast outside of his suite, shirtless and screaming with the Buffalo fans. He later shared the story of that now-famed moment on the podcast he hosts with his brother. This is the man NFL fans could rally behind while the off-field headlines focused on Travis’ love life and girlfriend (Taylor Swift).
In a simple search of the greatest centers in NFL history, you will find Jason Kelce among such names as Chuck Bednarik, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Kevin Mawae—names that are imprinted on the minds of long-time football fans. While he calls himself “overrated,” true fans do not believe that for one second. A player who started over two hundred games at a position that gets hit on every play by defenders who can outweigh his 280 lb. frame by nearly a hundred does not last that long without being a truly great player. Diminishment of skills was not the problem for this 36-year-old. He goes out as the first team all-pro selection at center for the entire NFL.
Despite indicating last season that he was determining if it was time to retire, Jason Kelce had been quiet on the subject ever since, dodging questions at every turn.
Letting the team that he has loved for the last 13 years know at this time about his retirement gives the front office the clear goal of replacing one of the stalwarts of Philadelphia as they look to get back the division crown they let slip away to the Dallas Cowboys last season. This is no small task. Neither will be the kegs that Jason Kelce will drink in celebration of a career that meant so much to so many. For Kelce, this retirement is a chance to focus on the family that has been with him on this journey and to enjoy the next chapter of a fulfilling life. For the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, it is a chance to say thank you and to show some “Brotherly Love.”