Emotional Jason Kelce breaks down alongside brother Travis as the Eagles legend all but confirms his retirement from the NFL after playoff defeat
Jason Kelce was overcome with emotion as he appeared to confirm his retirement from the NFL following the Eagles’ loss to the Buccaneers.
Reports emerged on Tuesday that the legendary center was putting pressure on his career following the 32-9 Wild Card loss in Philadelphia.
Kelce broke his silence during his latest episode New heights podcast with his brother Travis, in which he says, “I purposely didn’t announce what I was doing – despite what was leaked to the media.”
“But I think people can sense body language and stuff….”
The 36-year-old, who was drafted by the Eagles in 2011, continued: “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don’t. There’s too much emotion in the moment, too much happening in the moment to really fully understand that decision.
“I’m not trying to be dramatic and keep pushing this thing forward, it really isn’t. It’s just something that I think it’s time to officially announce what’s going to happen in the future. it will be done in a way that is definitive and pays respect to many people and individuals who mean a lot to me and who have led to the career that I have had.
Jason Kelce was overcome with emotion as he appeared to confirm he is retiring from the NFL
The Eagles center addressed his teammates after the loss to the Buccaneers on Monday
“And I don’t think it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that. (I’m) frustrated, I think, with everything that’s happening, but something will be said in the future.”
Kelce, a father of three, strongly considered retirement late last season and filmed his struggle to make a decision, which later became a popular Amazon Prime documentary.
Ultimately, he opted to continue playing and signed a one-year contract with the Eagles for this season, but was set to become a free agent in March.
“I addressed the team and said pretty much the same thing I said to you: ‘I believe in all of you. Cherish the moments you have in this competition,'” he said.
“So that’s kind of how it went and a lot of guys said, ‘If this is your last game, I feel sorry for you.’ I was like, “Don’t feel sorry for me, you bastards, I was f***ed…”
Kelce broke his silence during the latest episode of his New Heights podcast with brother Travis
Kelce was then overcome with emotion. “Either way, I really appreciated everyone in that room and I would go to war with them any day of the week. Enjoy the time you have, but there was definitely a lot of emotion in the room.
“So I don’t know what the future holds for anyone in that building right now. We’re about to go into what will happen later: we have exit interviews tomorrow…’
On Wednesday, to mark the end of the season, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will address the team. Meetings will follow, during which players will speak with their position coaches, undergo an “exit physical” and return their playbooks.
“Some guys who know they’re not coming back will clean out the lockers. You’ll see people start packing things up,” Kelce explained.
“I’m not trying to be dramatic and keep pushing this thing forward, that’s really not the case,” Kelce said
‘And it’s going to be another probably emotional day. So we’ll see what unfolds.”
The center, a Super Bowl winner, six-time All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame inductee, turned and hugged offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland as the clock ticked toward zero in Tampa.
Jason, the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis, then had an emotional but brief reunion with his family on the field – with his father, Ed and wife Kylie cheering him on from the front row of the stands.
He waved to them both as he left the pitch and was filmed breaking down in tears during his long and lonely walk back to the dressing room.