Philadelphia Eagles Legend Announces His Retirement
It's a sad day for Philadelphia sports fans. Not only were the Eagles bounced out of the playoffs after what seemed like a promising season a couple of months ago, one of their greatest players announced his retirement.
Jason Kelce, who is amongst the best centers in NFL history, has decided to retire after 13 seasons with the Eagles. The seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion announced his decision to his teammates in the locker room following the Eagles’ playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Kelce, 36, was emotional on the sideline as the game ended and hugged his offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. He declined to speak to reporters after the game, but his retirement was confirmed by multiple sources. Kelce had been contemplating his future for the last few seasons but chose to return each time as the Eagles continued their championship push season after season.
The Eagles Legend Had A Long Career In Philly
Kelce was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft and became an instant starter for Andy Reid’s team. He played in 193 regular-season games and 12 postseason games, including starting for the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, where they defeated the New England Patriots for their first and only Lombardi Trophy.
Kelce was known for his toughness, durability, intelligence, and leadership on and off the field. He was a fan favorite in Philadelphia, especially after his memorable speech at the Super Bowl parade, where he wore a Mummers costume and ranted about the team’s underdog status. He also gained popularity outside of Philly, appearing in commercials with his brother Travis Kelce, a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to match by any center in the league. He is the only center since the merger to earn six first-team All-Pro selections and win a Super Bowl title. He is also likely to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
Kelce’s retirement leaves a huge void in the Eagles’ offensive line, which recently was considered one of the best units in the NFL. The Eagles will have to find a replacement for Kelce, who was the anchor and the heart of the line for over a decade. Kelce’s departure also marks the end of an era for the Eagles, who have seen many of their core players from the 2017 Super Bowl team leave or retire in recent years.
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