Philadelphia Eagles' All-Pro center, Jason Kelce, is said to be hanging up his cleats, as reported on Tuesday morning by both ESPN and the NFL Network. Following the Eagles' 32-9 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kelce conveyed his retirement decision to his teammates in the immediate aftermath of the game.
The 36-year-old Kelce displayed visible emotions during the closing moments of the match, marking the end of his illustrious career. A poignant scene unfolded as he exchanged a heartfelt hug with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland as the game concluded.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jason 💚 <a href="https://t.co/3tLvyM9XH1">pic.twitter.com/3tLvyM9XH1</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1747111877090652348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As he exited the field at Raymond James Stadium, he took a moment to connect with his family in the stands.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An emotional Jason Kelce finds his family in the stands postgame 💚 <a href="https://t.co/nIJxKDHpxA">pic.twitter.com/nIJxKDHpxA</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1747112914379747593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The emotional weight of the moment lingered on Kelce's face as he walked down the tunnel towards the Eagles' locker room.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An emotional Eagles center Jason Kelce heads to the locker room <a href="https://t.co/ccKdohSxAc">pic.twitter.com/ccKdohSxAc</a></p>— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoriEpstein/status/1747115712768794659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kelce opted not to engage with the media and refrained from making any official announcements in the emotional aftermath of the game. However, as he approaches his 37-year-old season, it appears he has made the decision to step away from the game.
Having dedicated 13 seasons to the NFL, Kelce spent his entire career with the Eagles. His journey began in 2011 with a team that finished 8-8 in his rookie year, making the playoffs only once in his initial six seasons. The turning point came in 2017 when he played a pivotal role in an historic offensive line, leading the team to secure its first and only Super Bowl victory.
In the latter part of Kelce's tenure, the Eagles made the playoffs in six of his final seven seasons, culminating in another Super Bowl appearance after the 2022 season. He played a central role in this highly successful period, making him synonymous with the franchise's most prosperous era. Alongside his brother, Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, he became one of the NFL's most recognizable faces.
Kelce's individual achievements mirrored the team's success, with seven Pro Bowl selections, six first-team All-Pro honors, and being named Philadelphia's NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2021. Retiring at the age of 36, he concludes his career on a high note, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his final season. The next milestone is likely his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
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