Eagles’ Jason Kelce admits losing the Super Bowl ‘played a factor’ in his decision not to retire

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce admitted that losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs “played a factor” in his decision not to retire and return for a 13th season.

“I think it played a part,” Kelce continued on Friday The Rich Eisen Show. ‘I don’t think it should. I wish it wasn’t. But I do think when you go that far and get that close and it doesn’t happen, I think your emotions and energy kicks in, and you want to do that.

“You know it’s close, and you know the team will be good next year as long as everyone stays healthy. We return many pieces in the attack. So yes, that all plays a role.

“If it were any other situation, I don’t know what the answer would be. I still think I would play.’

Kelce’s Eagles were last season’s surprise breakaway team after only losing in mid-November before advancing all the way to the Super Bowl.

Kelce and the Eagles lost the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother Travis (left)

The 35-year-old has played the best football of his career in recent years after being named to four straight Pro Bowls to bring his career total to six, and was named All-Pro in five of the last six. years show that Kelce is more than capable of still playing at an abnormally high level despite his age.

“The physical part, knock on wood anywhere, I’m in pretty good shape for a guy entering his 13th year,” said Kelce, who hasn’t missed a start since 2014. “I have some knee pain, ankle pain, this and that, but it’s really what you’re talking about, the mental grind.”

‘The attention you need every day to do well. Because part of my job is to be prepared myself. Two, be willing to put everyone in the right position.

Center, quarterback, middle linebacker, and safety are the four places on the field where you can actively get other players to improve or influence how they play.

“Just because of the phone calls you make. Just because of the communication you do. To do that well you need attention in the meeting rooms, film study, communication during the week.’

And that all takes energy and effort. And all of that ultimately gets distracted on some levels from other parts of my life. You should think carefully about whether you want to do that again.’

“I was still in a position that I felt like I wanted to do for another year. I do think losing the Super Bowl plays a part, but I think eventually I want to play football.”

The 35-year-old has remained one of the best centers in the league despite his advanced age