TAMPA – Jason Kelce spoke a lot without saying anything.
Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ season-ending, 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, fans gathered in a semicircle around his locker, eager to hear from the center. However, Kelce graciously declined to speak.
He said, “Sorry, guys, not today.” “Go easy on yourself.”
As he turned to leave, Kelce was on the edge of tears. After making an emotional exit from the field, Kelce retired a few hours later, according to a source.
After the game, Kelce’s teammate since the 2013 draft, right tackle Lane Johnson, stated, “We had a discussion in here.” “He will make a statement regarding his return or non-return. In the event that it was his final game, he ranks among my all-time finest teammates. His fervor was unparalleled, and I witnessed Philly attempt to run him out of town two thousand something.
“I seen a guy come out of that and possibly develop into the greatest center to have ever played. I had already experienced all of that. A unique participant. You can never find another guy like that.
Kelce, 36, is going to win this one.
After 13 years of playing, he was just awarded first-team All-Pro for the sixth time, a feat no other center has accomplished since the merger in 1970. Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson each have five rings in the Hall of Fame.
He joins Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White as the only other players in franchise history to get six first-team All-Pro selections.
In addition to winning seven Pro Bowls, Kelce also made 157 consecutive ones starting in the middle of the 2014 campaign.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts said of the player, “He’s a legend in this city, really in the league.” I don’t want to take anything away from him given everything he’s accomplished and overcome. It wasn’t an easy path to where he is now. It’s been a very long time coming, and ever since I arrived, I’ve been asking myself, “You gonna come back?” each year.
“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.”
In 2011, Kelce was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round. In 2017, he had a part in leading the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. The previous year, he made it to the Final Four but lost against his brother Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following the defeat, head coach Nick Sirianni remarked, “Yeah, I love him.” “He’s amazing, and I love him, but we’re not quite there yet—ready to talk about that. He’s among the most unique men I’ve ever met.
After the game, edge rusher Haason Reddick was asked what he would want back for the Eagles the next season. He said that he would like all four of their key players, Kelce, Johnson, Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox, to be back.
“If I could get to see anything, my hope is to see them again,” he said. “Just truly honored and I told them this as well that I’m honored to have played with them, learn from them, and build relationships.
“Going from watching them on TV as a teen to playing with them, was an extreme honor. So, if I could ask for anything that would be it for me.”
Now that won’t happen, at least in the case of Kelce, and the Eagles will need to move on.
Cam Jurgens was drafted to take over for Kelce when this day came. He played right guard this year. Landon Dickerson can also play center.
No matter who takes over, they will have some very large, Hall of Fame shoes to fill.
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