The Eagles' star lineman is going out the back door but he will leave a huge mark in the history of the NFL.
It's official: center Jason Kelce will retire as an NFL player. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 36-year-old announced it to his partners in the locker room after the Eagle's Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers.
A huge player for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 13 years of his career, he was one of the strong men on and off the field for his team, notably in 2017 for the only title won by the franchise. He started 156 consecutive games for the Eagles, a franchise record. He was named to the All-Pro team of the year 6 times, a feat that only four players before him have achieved at his position. Four players who are all in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, where Kelce should join them in 5 years.
Jason Kelce hangs up his boots after a complicated season for Philadelphia at the end of the year with 6 defeats in 7 matches, playoffs included. He failed to bring a second title to Philadelphia, failing in the Super Bowl in 2022 against the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother Travis Kelce. The opposition between the two men had largely fueled the stories before and after the match.
A mother's love ❤️
Mama Kelce cried with both her sons after #SuperBowlLVII pic.twitter.com/YdjalBka8i
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) February 14, 2023
