Jason Kelce retires after 13 seasons
Warning: Video contains coarse language
Jason Kelce is riding off into the sunset after 13 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
An emotional Kelce confirmed his retirement at a press conference Monday, thanking his family, coaches, teammates, and Eagles' fans.
An all-time great giving an all-time great retirement speech. @JasonKelce, forever a legend. pic.twitter.com/8jNXEcrizp
- NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2024
"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," Kelce told reporters. "The best way I can explain it is what draws you to your favorite song, your favorite book. It's what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it. The intensity of it.
"I love the challenge that football was. The joy of winning, the agony of defeat, the anxiety of the unknown, and the camaraderie of my teammates."
The center reportedly informed teammates he was ending his career following Philadelphia's wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he denied the report shortly after it emerged in January.
Kelce spent his entire career in Philadelphia while garnering a reputation for being one of the game's best at his position. Kelce started 193 contests, earning seven Pro Bowl invites and six first-team All-Pro selections.
"Some people struggle to play in this city. They can't handle the boos, the media, or our fans," Kelce said. "(I) consider it a great blessing to play in the most passionate sports town in America. The sense of urgency in this city has pushed our organization, has fueled it to take chances, fix problems, and work tirelessly in an effort to win.
"No one celebrates their own like the city of Philadelphia. Athletes become demigods in this city. ... Yes, they will let you know when you're not performing well, every time. But they will also love you if you show effort, aggression, desire, the will to fight. They will love you in this city if you love it."
The 36-year-old was part of Philadelphia's Super Bowl LII-winning squad. Kelce lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last year in his only other Super Bowl appearance.
The longtime Eagles center also acknowledged his brother Travis Kelce, who attended the press conference.
"There is no chance I'd be here without the bond Travis and I share," Jason said. "It made me stronger, tougher, smarter, (and) it taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience, and understanding. It's only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. I knew that relationship all too well."
Kelce owns the Eagles franchise record for consecutive starts after starting 156 straight games since Week 9 of the 2014 season.
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