Jason Kelce made a reputation for himself as one of the best centers in NFL to serve the Philadelphia Eagles. After 13 seasons of the big league, the footballer has now announced his retirement from the game.
In a tearful 40 minute speech, attending beside his brother Travis Kelce, Jason talked about his football journey and everything that he’s grateful for. Read on to know more.
Jason Kelce Retires From Football After 13 Seasons
After playing in the NFL for 13 years, Jason Kelce has now declared his retirement in a speech that made thousands of Eagles fans emotional. As someone who has played 13 seasons with the team, senior Kelce was an incredible member of the team and significantly contributed towards the team’s 2018 Super Bowl win.
Jason Kelce was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio in 1987, and played basketball and football since a young age while he was at Cleveland Heights High School. For his skills in the sport, he was given a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.
His contributions to the UC offence, which averaged 27.3 points and 375.3 yards of total offence per game, made him a valuable member of the Cincinnati Bearcats. In 2008, he was joined by brother Travis Kelce.
The Philadelphia Eagles picked Kelce with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Since then, he has won one Super Bowl, been selected to the first team of the All-Pro team six times, and been selected to seven Pro Bowls.
A true contributor to the team, his retirement came across as a predictable, but heartbreaking ness to Eagles fans everywhere.
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Jason Kelce Gets Teary-Eyed About His Retirement, Travis Honors The Event With A Friendship Bracelet
Kelce’s teary eyed speech didn’t leave a dry eye in the entire crowd. He started off by saying, “I announce that I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me represent this city and allowing me into your homes every Sunday.”
“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that gets it right,” he continued, “The best way I could explain it is what draws you to your favorite song … your favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it. The intensity of it,” he added.
“Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt. There was a visceral feeling with football, unlike any sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could hit somebody, run around like a crazed lunatic and then get told, ‘Good job.’ I love football,” Jason Kelce said.
As Travis Kelce listened to his brother’s emotional speech seated in the audience, he was seen donning a Taylor Swift inspired friendship bracelet. Though Travis’s beau Taylor was not with him at the conference, he clearly held her close with the sweet gesture that soon sent Swifties on social media into a frenzy.
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