What Is Jason Kelce’s Legacy After Retirement? Let the Eagles Explain

Tears clouded Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce’s eyes as he gathered his duffel bag in the visitor’s locker room at Raymond James Stadium. Only minutes had passed since a 32-9 Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night went final. Kelce, who has faced lingering questions about his potential retirement all season, politely declined to speak to the several reporters gathered around his locker as he strolled toward the exit in his signature flip-flops.

“No, guys,” Kelce said. “Not today. Sorry.”

The 36-year-old wasn’t ready to discuss his NFL future—or anything else—in the aftermath of the season-ending loss. But it seems his decision has been made.

Kelce informed his teammates after the playoff loss that he is retiring from the NFL, according to a report from ESPN Tuesday morning. His actions as the final seconds ticked off the clock in Tampa hinted that would be the case.

The 13-year-pro, who has publicly discussed his possible retirement for several seasons, shared an emotional embrace with his longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland before making his way off the field. Kelce, his helmet in his left hand, took a moment to greet family members in the stands before finishing his walk to the locker room. Once there, general manager Howie Roseman hugged a clearly shaken Kelce.

While Kelce has yet to speak about his reported retirement, No. 62’s teammates had plenty to say in his favor if he has indeed called it a career.

“He’s a legend in this city—really in the league,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said on Monday night. “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. And he’ll forever have a special place in my heart.”

Kelce’s time snapping the football in Philly appears to be over. Now the Hall of Fame awaits.

The 2011 sixth-round pick, who at one time made a franchise-record 156 consecutive regular-season starts, was still one of the elite players across the league this season— earning first-team All-Pro recognition. That’s the sixth time, all coming in the last seven years, Kelce has earned All-Pro honors, making him one of just five centers in NFL history with at least six selections.

The other four are in Canton.

“If this was Kelce’s last game, or any of the guys, I was just trying to give it everything I had, so it’s frustrating,” right tackle Lane Johnson, teammates with Kelce since 2013, said after the loss. “… 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. I love him. He’s one of the best centers to ever play the game.

“There are few guys who can do what he can do on the football field athletically. I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time.”

Kelce may have still been at his best for the final game of his football career, but the Eagles were not. The defending NFC champions, at one time 10-1, lost six of their final seven games of the season, including the Wild Card Weekend blowout. Kelce won’t get the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy to close the football-playing chapter of his life.

Luckily for him, though, he’s already quite familiar with winning it all.

The boisterous center, costume and all, delivered one of the more memorable speeches in recent sports history after Philly’s Super Bowl LII win in 2018, barking about the team’s accomplishments and connecting to the city’s underdog attitude.

But the seven-time Pro Bowler’s reach goes beyond the football field.

Last year’s “Kelce Bowl” against younger brother Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs fully elevated Jason into a status offensive linemen rarely reach—famous. And not just to football fans. Over the last few months, the elder Kelce brother has been named one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” co-hosted the ever-popular New Heights podcast, was featured on another Christmas album, and was the subject of an Amazon documentary series.

Kelce’s words on his retirement remain to be heard. Perhaps they will come on Wednesday’s New Heights episode. Until then, the City of Brotherly Love will continue to share some with one of its beloved sports icons.

“He’s special and I love him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said at a press conference Monday night. “He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around.”