PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A champion and all-time great Philadelphia Eagle is reportedly hanging up his cleats.
Eagles legend Jason Kelce told his teammates in the locker room following the team's 32-9 playoff loss to the Bucs on Monday night that he is retiring, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Kelce, 36, is a legend in Philadelphia, playing all 13 of his NFL seasons in the City of Brotherly Love.
Kelce finishes his career as a six-time first-team All-Pro center, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion.
Kelce could explain his decision as early as Wednesday, when the next episode of the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (boyfriend of pop star Taylor Swift) was expected to drop. The brothers played each other last season in the Super Bowl that was won by the Chiefs.
Kelce has contemplated retirement over recent seasons, but he was still at the top of his game. After the Eagles’ loss Monday night, he was visibly emotional walking off the field.
Kelce politely declined to speak to reporters afterward, but his teammates gave him high praise.
“The goat!!!. Appreciate ya big time,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. wrote on social media.
Kelce shared an offensive line with right tackle Lane Johnson for 11 seasons.
“I love him. He’s one of my brothers. I never had a brother growing up. I was an only child, so these guys are my family,” said Johnson. “[Kelce is] one of the best centers to play the game. … I don't think we’ll see another one for a long time.”
Kelce is no question an all-time Mount Rushmore Eagles player on and off the field. He is a beloved Philly personality, known for his charitable work for the Eagles Autism Challenge and the education nonprofit Heights Philadelphia. He was featured in People magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive issue.
Kelce has belted out holiday hits on not one Christmas album, but two, and played celebrity bartender on the beach. Kelce performed the national anthem at a 76ers game and partied with the Phanatic while pounding a beer to a roaring ovation at a Phillies postseason game.
But the moment that endeared him for life to the Philly faithful came at the Super Bowl victory parade in 2018 when took the podium, decked out head to toe in Mummers gear, to deliver a fiery, profane speech that whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
“No one likes us! No one likes us! No one likes us! We don’t care,” Kelce exclaimed. “We’re from Philly! [Expletive] Philly. No one likes us! We don’t care!”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts calls Kelce a legend.
“He’s a legend in the city. Really in the league,” Hurts said. “I don’t want to do a disservice to him and the things he’s been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn’t come easy. It’s been a long, long time coming for him, and every year since I’ve been here it’s been, 'Are you going to come back?' But he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I’ve learned from him. He’ll forever have a special place in my heart.”
After Monday's loss, coach Nick Sirianni had this to say: "I love him. Yeah, obviously we’re not there at that position yet, ready to talk about that, but he’s special and I love him. He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around. He’s always got a place here and always want him to play."
Many expect Kelce to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will certainly make the Eagles Hall of Fame, and it also wouldn’t be a surprise if he becomes one of the select greats to have his No. 62 retired by the franchise.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.