Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce tearfully announced his retirement from football Monday, wrapping up a stellar 13-year career that brought fame and notoriety rarely enjoyed by an offensive lineman.
Crying before he uttered one word to gathered reporters, Kelce eventually went off on a 40-minute tribute to family, friends, teachers, teammates, coaches and Eagles employees who had helped him along the way.
“I announce that I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles,” an emotional Kelce said.
“Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me represent this city and allowing me into your homes every Sunday.”
He ended the marathon meeting with one last note of love for his adopted City of Brotherly Love.
“Forever we shall all share the bond of being Philadelphians. That’s all I got,” he said before he left the podium and hugged his brother, his mom and his dad and then kissing his wife.
Kelce, 36, a Super Bowl champ selected to his seventh Pro Bowl in January, is the older brother of Travis Kelce, an all-time great tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs who is now just as well known as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.
That connection to the world’s most famous pop star helped make Jason Kelce one of football’s most identifiable interior linemen, and it hasn’t hurt his side hustles as a Madison Avenue pitchman and a successful podcaster.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs on Jan. 15, speculation immediately began that Kelce would hang up his cleats.
