PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There’s been plenty of speculation about Jason Kelce since the season ended, but the legendary center has finally put those rumors to rest: Kelce is officially retiring.
The all-time great Eagle is hanging up his cleats after playing all 13 of his NFL seasons in Philly, Kelce tearfully announced at a press conference Monday.
Talk of his retirement had been circulating for quite some time — even by Kelce himself. But speculation exploded after the Birds’ season-ending playoff loss to the Bucs on Jan. 15, when Kelce reportedly announced his retirement to his teammates in the locker room.
A day later, however, he made sure he got the final word. On his “New Heights” podcast with younger brother Travis Kelce, the older Kelce said when he’s ready for retirement, he would make a formal announcement — not an emotional decree in the locker room.
The 36-year-old was mum about rumors up until now.
“I announce that I am retiring," he said with a sniffle.
“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."
Live press conference
Kelce thanked the coaches who made him into the player he was and expressed particular gratitude to his brother, Travis.
“It’s only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love.”
After the speech, Eagles play-by-play legend Merrill Reese said Kelce will go down as one of the all-time greats in this city.
“Jason Kelce made Jason Kelce one of the greatest athletes — not only football players, but one of the greatest athletes and one of the greatest people that we have ever been blessed to know here in Philadelphia,” Reese said.
He said Kelce connected with Philadelphia because he “got” Philadelphia.
“Jason Kelce understands that the fans react the way they do because they love this team so much and they helped push him to the greatness that he achieved.”
Kelce ends his career as a six-time first-team All-Pro center, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion. He has become a beloved Philly personality, known for his charitable work for the Eagles Autism Challenge and the education nonprofit Heights Philadelphia.
He's belted out holiday hits on not one, but two Christmas albums, and played celebrity bartender on the beach. He performed the national anthem at a 76ers game and jumped from box to bleachers shirtless, unabashedly cheering on his brother at a Bills-Chiefs game with superstar Taylor Swift.
He was even featured in People magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive issue.
But the moment that endeared him for life to the Philly faithful came at the Super Bowl victory parade in 2018 when he 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!”
Kelce says he’s not sure what’s next for him. Now that he’s retired, he’ll be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2029.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.