Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles appears on from the bench throughout the fourth quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff soccer sport towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. Kevin Sabitus/Getty Pictures
Jason Kelce is seemingly prepared to hold up his soccer helmet for good.
Kelce, 36, and the Philadelphia Eagles misplaced to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 of their wild card sport on Monday, January 15. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported at some point after the crew’s emotional defeat that Kelce knowledgeable his fellow Eagles within the locker room that he’s retiring after 13 years within the league.
Because the clock ran out on Monday night time, Kelce was seen trying glum on the sideline. “That appears like a person full of emotion,” an announcer mentioned throughout the broadcast. “You surprise if that’s it for 36-year-old Jason Kelce.”
Kelce chatted with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland and appeared as much as the stands, the place his spouse, Kylie Kelce, appeared equally overwhelmed with emotion. A teary-eyed Jason walked over to the group, shaking dad Ed Kelce’s hand after the sport.
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Jason, who has one Tremendous Bowl ring beneath his belt, beforehand admitted he was contemplating retiring throughout a dialog with The NFL Report’s Steve Wyche and James Palmer in December 2023.
“We took on so much final yr, and it ended up figuring out actually, rather well for Travis [Kelce] and I on the finish of the season, though we did come up one sport quick,” Jason mentioned, referring to Tremendous Bowl LVII, the place the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs reigned victorious over the Eagles. “You recognize, I feel it’s a lot, and I feel the best way we’ve justified it as a household is that that is going to be over fairly quickly right here.”
He continued, “If it’s this yr, which it very effectively may very well be, we wish to ensure that we’re able to go when soccer is completed, and with all of those completely different alternatives and issues, to determine what it’s we wish to do with our retirement. After which on prime of that, simply benefit from the final time you will have left with the blokes you will have.”
Months after the Tremendous Bowl LVII loss, Jason admitted the sport’s end result “performed an element” in his determination to step on the sphere once more.
Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates on the sphere after defeating the New York Giants 38-7 within the NFC Divisional Playoff sport at Lincoln Monetary Area on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Leff/Getty Pictures
“I don’t suppose it ought to. I want it didn’t,” he mentioned on the “Wealthy Eisen Present” in April 2023. “However I do suppose that while you go that far and get that shut and it doesn’t occur, I feel your feelings and vitality get going, and also you wish to do this.”
Jason beforehand received candid about retirement within the Prime Video documentary Kelce, the place he confessed that it was “getting more durable and more durable to play” with every passing yr.
“There have been little issues that aren’t massive issues but however are going to show into massive issues the longer I play,” he mentioned.
Since he was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles within the sixth spherical of the 2011 NFL Draft, Jason has confronted his justifiable share of accidents. In 2012, he tore his MCL and suffered a partial tear to his ACL. In 2018, he performed by means of three throughout the season — together with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and accidents to his foot, elbow and shoulder.
Jason’s spouse, Kylie, additionally weighed in on her husband stepping again from the sport throughout the Kelce documentary, saying, “I don’t suppose that individuals understand the beating you’re taking then impacts the best way you work together with your loved ones.”
Kylie, 31, theorized that the timing of Jason’s retirement may align effectively with the delivery of their third daughter, Bennett, 10 months, who they welcomed after the 2023 Tremendous Bowl — however her husband went on to play one other season with the Eagles. (The pair additionally share daughters Wyatt, 4, and Elliotte, 2.)
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce have an enviable sibling bond stuffed with assist, laughter and, in fact, soccer. Because the brothers have discovered success within the NFL, they’ve shared glimpses of their relationship off the sphere. Their household even served as inspiration for Travis’ Saturday Night time Reside monologue, which he hosted for the primary […]
“I at all times inform folks, it doesn’t matter what occurs with soccer, the way it ends, I would really like him to retire when he’s nonetheless in a position to get down on the ground and play with our children comfortably,” Kylie, who gave delivery to Bennett lower than two weeks after Tremendous Bowl LVII, defined.
When talking with retired Eagles participant Connor Barwin within the Kelce documentary, Jason mentioned he’s “fearful” about what might occur to his physique after he retires, particularly Persistent Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
“I’ve two ladies, and a few folks find yourself getting CTE, some guys reside lengthy wholesome lives, I do not know what’s gonna occur,” Jason mentioned. “The best way I’ve rationalized it to myself is, no person’s assured tomorrow, no person’s assured years prematurely.”
He continued, “If I get CTE and might’t work together with my grandkids, I’d nonetheless say taking part in 12 years within the NFL, making my household affluent, and being an influential member of town of Philadelphia is an effective trade-off.”
Throughout his 13 years with the Eagles, Kelce compiled a formidable resume. Within the 2011 season, he turned the primary rookie to start out all 16 video games in his place. He was additionally named to 6 Professional Bowl groups, 5 All-Professional 1st groups and has been featured 5 occasions on the NFL Prime 100 listing.
Off the sphere, he and his household have used their platform to assist their philanthropic efforts. All through Jason’s time with the NFL, he and Kylie have labored carefully with the Eagles Autism Basis, which raises consciousness and funds for these throughout the autism neighborhood. Whereas Jason’s involvement with the NFL has come to an finish, Kylie shared that their dedication to the inspiration might be lifelong.
“EAF is aware of that they’ll’t eliminate me,” Kylie instructed The Philadelphia Inquirer in January 2023. “Even when I’m not there in an official capability, I’ll simply hold volunteering. As soon as soccer is completed, however let’s be actual, I don’t suppose soccer will ever be accomplished. However as soon as Jason is completed snapping the soccer regularly, I can’t see us ever not having a component in EAF. Now we have that private connection and we might by no means step away.”
