Philadelphia Eagles fans continue to react to Jason Kelce's retirement, many getting emotional and breaking down in tears on the air while discussing the impact Kelce had on their lives.
Erica in Perkasie told the 94WIP Afternoon Show how she used Jason's perseverance and attitude to help her get through difficult times of her own.
"I am trying to keep it together, I am not an emotional person, but this is a lot," Erica told Ike Reese and Jack Fritz at the beginning of Monday's 94WIP Afternoon Show, just minutes after Kelce's incredibly emotional retirement speech.
"I just wanted a chance to say thank you to Jason," she continued. "He's been my favorite player for 13 years. He's the heart and soul of this team and I know that he will be missed not just by me, but by the organization and the city over.
"And I don't know if he'll ever hear this—or you can play it for him—I just wanted to thank him on a personal level. I'm someone who really struggles with health problems, I'm not going to get into that. But Jason's perseverance, his positive attitude, he plays every game, he never misses a snap, he plays through the pain, he always keeps his attitude of just keep going. 'You do not give up, you are not weak, you just don't give up.' I've sort of used that, he's my hero. I've sort of used that in times when I'm really struggling and I want to give up and it's really hard. I think of him and I just think of all he's done for the city and how he is as a player and a person and I strive to be like that. I know that a lot of people in the past want to be like Mike, everyone knows that, 'I want to be like Michael Jordan.' But I want to be like Jason. I can't thank you enough Jason. I can't thank your beautiful family enough. As much as I would love you to play forever, this is the right thing because I want you to be a good dad and be a good husband, and live a good life like you deserve. But I just wanted to say on a personal level I can't thank him enough. I will wear 62 until the day I die and I'm a little embarrassed right now because I'm not an emotional person."
On Tuesday's 94WIP Morning Show, Brian talked about the impact Kelce has had on him and his family.
Brian begins at 7:19 mark
"My wife and three boys had a chance to meet Jason this fall in Philadelphia. I'm getting emotional again," Brian said. "Whoever said that phrase, 'Never meet your heroes,' was sure not talking about Jason Kelce because after we met him my admiration for him went up even more. He was so kind to all of us, so kind to my kids...When he was crying on the sideline at the end of the Tampa Bay game my three boys were crying as well. He's a class act. So, sorry to get choked up. He's been a role model to all of our kids and he's made me cry more times than anyone in my life outside of anyone in my life."
Later on the 94WIP Morning Show, Randy in Delaware told an incredible Kelce story.
Randy begins at 17:35 mark
"I'm a combat veteran and I've seen a lot and done a lot," Randy said. "I was going through some stuff...Well, I got hit with COVID in November of '22 and it triggered something in my head and I ended up being out of work 10 weeks staring at the wall, reliving kill shots. It was just horrible, horrible. Lowest time of my life. Evidently I posted something on Jason's Facebook page and he reached out and texted me like, 'Brother, you OK? You need someone to talk to?' He's been my favorite player since he's second year in the league, I've had his jersey."