Jason Kelce reveals why he can’t EVER unretire – even if he wanted to – as ex-Philadelphia Eagles teammates mock him for turning up at their facility
Jason Kelce has put an end to his claim that he can come out of retirement and return to the NFL. There’s one simple reason he’s holding back.
Kelce cried when he announced his retirement from football earlier this year, but he has remained a regular at the Eagles’ Philadelphia base, leading to suggestions that he could return to the sport he loves.
But the 36-year-old has admitted that this is not possible given the amount of weight he has already lost, although there has been a major change in his thinking.
Kelce told the Associated Press he has lost 20 pounds since his last game for the Eagles in January and is looking to get from 295 pounds to 260 pounds.
“They’re not going to ask me to come back and play center at 260 pounds, and I’m going to move on to the next step,” Kelce said — before voicing his support for his replacement in Philly, Cam Jurgens.
Jason Kelce has insisted he is done with football after retiring earlier this year
Kelce, pictured with wife Kylie, says his weight loss means a return to the NFL won’t happen
“I’m looking forward to seeing Cam. I really think Cam is going to be great this year. He’s really going to show people how great he is. He was great for us last year at right guard and he’s going to blossom as a center.
‘And for me personally, my playing days are over and I can’t see any scenario, except maybe medicine finding a way to get rid of arthritis, where I would ever consider letting it happen again.’
But even though Kelce’s 13 years in the NFL are over, he’s embarking on a new career in television with ESPN and its coverage of Monday Night Football.
In the first episode, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets travel to California to play against the San Francisco 49ers, who lost last year’s Super Bowl to Kelce’s brother Travis, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
In Week 2, Kelce will report on an Eagles game as they host the Atlanta Falcons.
But Week 5 is one of the first highlights, as Jason travels to Kansas City to watch his brother in action against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium.
As Kelce prepares for his new role, he’s become such a regular at the Eagles gym that his old teammates jokingly make fun of him for still hanging around the gym.
“He just doesn’t want to go home, man,” Landon Dickerson told CBS of Kelce. “I’m just kidding. It’s great to have him here.
“He’s clearly loved in this building by everyone. He’s always welcome here with Kylie (wife Kylie Kelce) and his kids.
In his new role at ESPN, Jason will cover the games his younger brother Travis will be playing in
“It’s always nice to have him around as a sounding board, because he’s someone who’s been doing it for so long and so successfully at this level. I think he’s the best who’s ever done it.”
Kelce isn’t the only NFL great embarking on a new television career this season. Tom Brady is doing the same, on FOX.
But even if Brady eventually reversed his decision to retire, it appears Kelce will only be seen on television this year.