NFL: Jason Kelce confirms retirement after 13 seasons with Philadelphia Eagles
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Jason Kelce: Philadelphia Eagles centre retires after 13 seasons with NFL team
A tearful Jason Kelce confirmed his retirement on Monday after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 36-year-old spent his entire career with Philadelphia, helping them win their first Super Bowl in 2018 and reach the NFL showpiece again in 2023.
Kelce was a sixth-round draft pick by the Eagles in 2011 but is now regarded as one of the NFL's best-ever centres.
He cried as he began a statement lasting more than 40 minutes and continued to hold back tears.
"I am very proud knowing where I was once was and the legacy I have left behind," he said.
Kelce denied that he had decided to retire in January, in the wake of the Eagles' exit from last season's play-offs, saying he needed time to consider his future.
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, he played 205 games and holds the franchise record for consecutive starts.
He will be remembered as a Philadelphia legend, securing that status with a passionate speech during their Super Bowl parade in 2018 - on the steps made famous by the Rocky movies.
The Eagles returned to the Super Bowl to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, with Kelce facing his brother Travis.
Jason Kelce's brother Travis and their parents also wiped away tears at the news conference in Philadelphia
The Kelces, who are from Cleveland, made history as they became the first brothers to play against each other in the NFL showpiece, with Travis' Chiefs winning 38-35.
"There is no chance I'd be here without the bond Travis and I share," said Jason. "It is only too poetic that I found my career being fulfilled in the city of brotherly love.
"Some people struggle to play in this city - I considered it a blessing to play in the most passionate sports town in America. Thank you Philadelphia, for letting me represent this city."
After finishing his statement, Kelce was applauded by the gathered media and hugged Travis, his parents, and his wife, Kylie.
The Kelce brothers have become two of the most popular players in the NFL. Their New Heights podcast ended 2023 as the sixth biggest podcast in the United States,, external they have had their own Amazon Prime documentary, have appeared on Saturday Night Live and recorded a Christmas song which made it to the number one spot on iTunes.
Jason was also named as one of People magazine's sexiest men of the year, external for 2023 while Travis, 34, is now dating music superstar Taylor Swift.
Jason Kelce has been one of the most colourful characters in the NFL, celebrating shirtless as his brother's team beat Buffalo in January
After the Eagles' play-off exit, Jason supported his brother by attending the Chiefs' play-off games.
When he met Swift at Kansas City's win at Buffalo in January, Jason went shirtless as he celebrated one of his brother's touchdowns before jumping into the crowd and chugging a beer with the Bills fans.
He then wore Chiefs dungarees for the Super Bowl and again went viral as he celebrated Kansas City's win with his brother and Swift, wearing a luchador wrestling mask as they partied at a Las Vegas nightclub.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said: "He gave everything he had to all of us for 13 years. And he did it in a way that was truly authentic.
"Jason was an incredible football player: A future Hall of Famer who would have been successful anywhere. But has there ever been a more perfect marriage between a player, a city and a team?"
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