Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce said that he’ll make an official announcement about the status of his NFL career “in the future.”
“I’m not trying to be dramatic and draw this thing out,” Kelce said on Wednesday’s episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he hosts with his brother Travis. “It’s just something that when I think it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that meant a lot to me, and what has led to the career I’ve had.”
Following the Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, multiple reports said Kelce planned to retire from the NFL after completing his 13th season and that he reportedly informed his teammates of his decision in the locker room following the wild-card loss.
Kelce said Wednesday that he didn’t publicly announce what he was doing “on purpose.”
“I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to make that decision,” he told his brother.
He cited the emotions he felt after a tough loss and the end of the promising season, which began with the Eagles starting 10-1 before losing six of their last seven games.
Kelce said on the podcast that he did address the team following the game and told his teammates: “I got belief in every one of you guys. Cherish the moments you have in this league.”
“That’s kind of the way it went down,” he said.
Kelce said that players told him they felt sorry that his potential final game was a playoff loss.
“I’m like ‘Don’t feel sorry for me,'” Kelce said before pausing to fight back emotions visibly.
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After Monday’s game, Kelce walked off the field alone, turned the tunnel’s corner and was immediately met by general manager Howie Roseman outside the visitor’s locker room. The two shook hands and hugged. Kelce dressed at his locker, faced the group of waiting reporters and politely shook his head.
“No, guys,” Kelce said. “Not today. Sorry.”
There may be no other active NFL player who so closely identifies with the city in which he plays. Kelce is so fittingly Philadelphia. A sixth-round selection in 2011, he was an underdog in a city that defines itself by them. By retiring after a season in which the 36-year-old secured his sixth All-Pro selection, Kelce would leave the sport quite literally at the top of his game.
He’s discussed retirement in general terms both privately and publicly over the past year. Kelce told reporters last week that the thought he’d possibly be playing his last game first entered his mind three seasons ago.
His health and quality of life were also a major topic in the Amazon Prime documentary “Kelce,” which followed the center throughout the 2022 season.
Kelce’s football legacy makes him an instant legend in both NFL and Philadelphia sports lore and likely a candidate to be a first-ballot entry in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kelce is just the fifth center in league history to be named an All-Pro at least six times. The four others — Dermotti Dawson, Jim Otto, Jim Ringo and Bulldog Turner — are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Eagles’ Jason Kelce didn’t announce plans ‘on purpose,’ will share decision on retirement ‘in the future’ - The Athletic
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