An emotional After playing centre for the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 seasons, Jason Kelce announced his retirement on Monday.
For the Eagles, the six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl pick started 205 games, including postseason games.
After being selected in the sixth round (191st overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft, Kelce went on to win Super Bowl LII, establish himself as one of the league’s most devoted players, and become one of the most enduring, decorated, and revered centres in NFL history.
He struggled to control such feelings from the beginning of the news conference on Monday in Philadelphia.
After 156 games in the regular season, a team record, Kelce had not missed a start since Week 8 of the 2014 campaign. His 193 career starts during the regular season are second most in Eagles history, only surpassed by defensive end and longtime teammate Brandon Graham (195).
In 2013, Kelce covered for NFL running champion LeSean McCoy. In recent years, he played a pivotal role in the tremendously effective “tush push” that quarterback Jalen Hurts and the team executed in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios.
