Jason Kelce recognized it was time to hang up his jersey permanently when his body couldn’t keep up with his desire to keep playing.
The future Hall of Fame center, who announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after spending his entire 13-season career with the Philadelphia Eagles, detailed why his retirement was “a long time coming” in the latest episode of his and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast.
“Obviously I’ve contemplated retiring the last several seasons,” Jason said after his younger brother praised his “wonderful” retirement speech, which left him in tears at the Eagles’ facility.
“I think it came to a point where I knew it was what I wanted to do, and it was nerve-racking to get there. However, there are many
Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after announcing his NFL retirement at NovaCare Complex on March 4, 2024, in Philadelphia.
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Jason remarked that he realized it was time to retire when his viewpoint was all that counted, as opposed to previous years when he relied on others’ advice.
He also said that his body was too broken down to continue playing at the level he desired.
“But I know it’s going to start doing that, and I’d rather not — I’m harsh on myself, and if I go out there and am not the player I want to be, it will break me. I am quite sure in my decision. I know it is time. I’ve had a great run, but that’s the main reason why.”
Jason Kelce reacts during an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on March 4, 2024.
AP
When asked if he is relieved now that the news is out, the All-Pro center expressed a range of feelings.
“A lot of those things were notes I’ve compiled during my career,” Jason said of his speech, which featured a journey down memory lane of life-changing events he witnessed in Philadelphia. “I like to take notes on my phone. In some ways, it felt fantastic to finally get everything out there—but in others, it was still difficult and painful. It’s weird… It’s difficult to accept that it’s all over. I hoped I had said it enough times.
wouldn’t cry as hard as I did. I believe it is appropriate to express emotion via it, but I was sobbing before I even started.
Jason cried throughout the majority of his 40-minute address Monday, with his brother, their parents, Donna and Ed, and his wife, Kylie, seated.
