On the Monday after the combine, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons. Kelce stood in front of the Eagles media, unable to hold back his tears and emotion while saying goodbye to the NFL world and Philadelphia. The reaction of the city of Philadelphia was somber, to say the least. The city lost one of its current sports icons and legends and while everyone only wants the best for Kelce, it still hurts to hear his career will be coming to an end. However, Eagles fans shouldn’t lose sight of their gratitude for Kelce. For all he’s done and meant for the city, he deserves a happy send-off. So, the goal of this article is to relive the career of Jason Kelce and show Philadelphia’s appreciation of him one more time.
Jason Kelce Announces His Retirement from the NFL
The Player and the Career
There should be little question as to whether Kelce or not belongs in the Hall of Fame. One Super Bowl Championship, six times All-Pro, and seven Pro Bowl appearances headline Kelce’s accomplishments. He was one of the best centers, if not the best, in the league for about ten years. Undeniably, he’s also been a stalwart of the dominant Eagles offensive line throughout his career.
However, one of the most impressive things on Kelce’s resume is the fact that he hasn’t missed a game since the 2014 season. An undersized center at 295 pounds, Kelce made up for his lack of mass with unprecedented athleticism at the position. For someone who’s still 295 pounds, he was able to move the way linebackers do. A freaky athlete, an Iron Man type of player, and a fantastic teammate, Kelce deserves all the love and credit he gets. He should be a lock for Canton in a few years or so.
The Philadelphia Icon and Legend
Kelce was an amazing player on the field, and he was loved by fans for the early and middle part of his career because of his dominance. However, after the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52, Kelce became a revered player in the city of Philadelphia. After his legendary parade speech, fans began to resonate with Kelce on a whole new level. They realized that Kelce was just like them, and he knew just how much that Super Bowl win was for the fans and the city. Not only did he cherish the championship with his brothers and teammates, but he cherished every second of it with the fans. He embraced the Eagles fans and the people of Philadelphia in a way that no other athlete has done.
In his retirement presser, Kelce talked about his love for playing in Philadelphia. Kelce said, “Some people struggle to play in this city. They can’t handle the boos, the media, or our fans. I consider it a blessing to play in the most passionate sports town in America.” When most athletes shut out all the outside noise, Kelce embraced it. Most athletes don’t say the nicest things about playing in the city, but Kelce embraced the city’s mentality. He knew that all Eagles fans ever want is effort, and he was a player who displayed it every time he stepped on the field.
Final Thoughts and Salutes to Jason Kelce
All in all, Kelce established himself towards the top of beloved Eagles players and Philadelphia as a whole. Not only was he a phenomenal, all-time great type of player, but he was a mainstay and leader of the Eagles team and the city as well. He’ll be missed for sure, but Eagles fans can have faith in Cam Jurgens likely taking over the center position. Jurgens was someone that Kelce handpicked himself, to be his successor.
Kelce’s legacy is cemented, and he will forever be cherished and remembered by the people of Philadelphia, whether they follow sports closely or casually. We’ll continue to get to hear and see Kelce through his podcast, “New Heights”, and possibly other media outlets as well. But hopefully, we’ll also get to see him living his best life, like the legendary scenes in the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills game.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
