Jason Kelce, an All-Pro center for the Philadelphia Eagles, has responded to rumors that he was planning to retire after hearing from teammates that the Super Bowl winner had made the decision to hang up his jersey.
The 36-year-old tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce, co-hosts the podcast “New Heights,” and in the most recent episode, he stated that it is not the right moment to “really fully grasp” that choice.
“I am uncertain about the team’s trajectory for the upcoming season. Players, coaches!” Mr. Kelce exclaimed. “I just want everyone to know how much I value, respect, and cherish the work and effort they have put into this year.” Although I am aware that the result—Philadelphia—was unacceptable, I still adore every single individual there and will always have faith in them.
Mr. Kelce noted that although the team’s coach had given him permission to discuss his plans for the upcoming NFL season, he had made the “purposeful” decision not to make his plans public.
Mr. Kelce stated, “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite, I guess, what’s been leaked to the media. Nick [Sirianni] kind of gave me an opportunity to talk.”
“I just don’t think you’re in a position to really, you know, make that decision after a game like that,” he continued. I simply don’t. Right now, there’s too much feeling. Too much is happening right now for me to completely understand that choice.
“I’m not attempting to be dramatic; I just want to keep on with this. Actually, I’m not. It’s just that I believe, you know, when the time comes to formally announce what’s going to happen in the future, it will be done in a way that honors many people who have meant a great deal to me and helped shape my career. It wouldn’t be appropriate, in my opinion, or even factual.
must be able to perform that immediately following such a game.
Mr. Kelce said that following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he did speak to his teammates.
“I have faith in each and every one of you.” After the game, Mr. Kelce remembered telling his teammates, “Cherish the moments you have in this league.”
Regarding the retirement rumors, Mr. Kelce’s podcast stated in a post on X on January 17 that when the time is appropriate, fans will learn of the football player’s retirement “from the man himself.”
Rumors of Retirement
Following the team’s season-ending defeat, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in a post on X that Mr. Kelce had informed his colleagues he was retiring. This sparked rumors about Mr. Kelce’s purported retirement.
The sports news source claims that right tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, Lane Johnson, also disclosed to reporters that Mr. Kelce had “hinted” to teammates that this would be his last season.
“I cherish him.” “He is among the greatest players in history,” Mr. Johnson declared. “I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time—the things he can do athletically on the football field.”
Based on information from three unidentified individuals, the Associated Press also broke the story.
Mr. Kelce is the seventh center in NFL history to have been selected for at least six All-Pro teams. He has been hesitant to retire for the past few seasons. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducts Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson, and Jim Ringo as the remaining four players.
Ever since he was selected from Cincinnati in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, the football player has been a mainstay of the offensive line. After missing the majority of the 2012 season due to a partly torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, he became an Iron Man.
But Mr. Kelce’s experience extends beyond football. In addition, he co-hosts a podcast, was featured in the documentary “Kelce,” and was included with Timothée Chalamet, Lenny Kravitz, and Jamie Foxx as one of People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” for 2023.
