Travis Kelce Cries as His Brother Jason Kelce Announces NFL Retirement
Jason Kelce is officially hanging up his football helmet.
After 13 seasons in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles center has announced that he's retiring.
"I look back on a career filled with ups and downs," he said during a tearful press conference March 4, before reflecting on the 2011 NFL Draft. "I won't forget the call I got from Andy Reid and my father rushing into the room, as tears rushing down his eyes that his son had been achieving his dream."
Two years later, Jason recalled, his brother Travis Kelce would get a similar call from Reid—who'd moved to the Kansas City Chiefs—achieving his own football dream.
Jason—who credited his bond with Travis for making him stronger and teaching him loyalty—went on to thank his teammates for the memories, both on and off the field.
This retirement announcement comes nearly two months after the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Jan. 15's Wild Card round game.
"[Jason's] special and I love him," coach Nick Sirianni told reporters after his team's defeat. "He's one of the most special guys I've been around. He's always got a place here."
At the start of 2024, Jason admitted that he'd yet to make a decision about his future in the NFL.
"I think you have to look after everything is said and done," he said on the WIP Morning Show Jan. 3, "and really grasp where you're at."
photosTaylor Swift Tackles the Cold to Cheer on Travis Kelce
"You just go through the season," Jason added. "You think about that afterwards. That's the healthiest way to do it."
After 13 NFL seasons, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce fights back tears during his retirement speech. pic.twitter.com/KY6TU9xuUd
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 4, 2024
Trending Stories
1
Jennie Garth Briefly Addresses Dan Schneider & Costar Amanda Bynes
2
Why Paris Hilton and Carter Reum Don't Share Photos of Daughter London
3
YouTuber Aspyn Ovard Files for Divorce Amid Birth of Baby No. 3
The 36-year-old was a member of the Eagles for his entire professional football career, having been selected by the team in the sixth round of 2011 NFL Draft. And throughout his time in the league, the Ohio native became a seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, helping his team secure the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2018.
(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Now, as Jason closes the chapter on his NFL career, he's also beginning a new one with his family, including wife Kylie Kelce and daughters Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 2, and Bennett, 12 months.
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
"I always tell people that no matter what happens with football, how it ends," Kylie said in Jason's 2023 Kelce documentary, "I would like him to retire when he's still able to get down on the floor and play with our kids comfortably."
As Jason's post-NFL journey kicks off, take a look back at his love story with Kylie…
