https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSgSFJr68Uo
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce on Monday announced his retirement from the NFL. The six-time All-Pro played all 13 seasons with the team.
Kelce had been debating retirement over the last few years after helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LII at the end of the 2017-18 season. The Eagles returned to the Super Bowl in 2023, falling 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs. After that loss, talk of Kelce retiring only amplified. Instead, the center returned for what would eventually be his final season.
Despite a promising 10-1 start, the Eagles finished the regular season 11-6 before losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wildcard round of the playoffs. As the game came to its final seconds, Kelce was seen on the sidelines hugging longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Jason Kelce embraces with Eagles O-Line coach Jeff Stoutland as the clock hits zero 💚
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/jEQRoD7Qjv
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 16, 2024
Before he could even begin his speech Monday, Kelce burst into tears. During the lengthy, tearful speech, Kelce thanked everyone who contributed to his football success throughout his entire athletic life, from his high school coaches to the chefs at the Eagles team facility.
He concluded with his official announcement to retire.
“This all brings us here to today,” he said through tears, “where I announce that I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. And today, I must admit I am officially overrated — vastly overrated — but fuck, it took a lot of hard work and determination getting here.”
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