Fan Tributes to Jason Kelce Pour in After Retirement Announcement
Fan tributes to Jason Kelce have come pouring in since news broke earlier today that the Philadelphia Eagles’ star center reportedly announced his retirement after the team’s devastating Monday night loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kelce told teammates in the locker room that he’d be hanging up his NFL helmet.
Six-time All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame center Jason Kelce told his Eagles’ teammates in Monday night’s postgame locker room that he is in fact retiring, per league sources.
The 36-year-old Kelce became visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers. He… pic.twitter.com/GofAAlFtUd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2024
Less than 30 minutes later, the NFL sent out their own statement on X (formerly Twitter) praising Kelce for his astounding tenure with the organization. “One of the greatest players and men our game has ever seen,” the photo was captioned. “Congrats on an incredible career.”
Fans were stunned by the news, with many taking to social media to pay their respects to Kelce and his storied run with the NFL.
“Jason Kelce has elevated the game of football and the awareness of just how awesome offensive linemen are,” wrote user @RGIII. “He is a Hall of Famer on the field and off it he is a STAR. Congrats on retirement my brother, you gave the game everything you had.”
Philadelphia sports journalist Alex McCrystal, who goes by Philly Sports Sufferer on X, called Kelce a “Philadelphia legend for eternity” and a “champion.”
Thank you for everything Jason Kelce
Philadelphia legend for eternity
You’re a champion Jason. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/7Bs5glL9CD
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) January 16, 2024
Gayle Saunders, co-host of the Eagles fan podcast 4th and Jawn, posted a photo of himself and Kelce, as well as a video of Kelce playing saxophone with the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with a touching tribute to the player.
“Jason Kelce…one of the greatest to put on an Eagles jersey. It’s been a pleasure to watch your journey from an undersized rookie center at Lehigh to a Super Bowl legend on the steps of the art museum,” Saunders wrote. “Thank you for all your grit, emotion, and authenticity. Always a real one from day one.”
Jason Kelce…one of the greatest to put on an #Eagles jersey. It’s been a pleasure to watch your journey from an undersized rookie center at Lehigh to a Super Bowl legend on the steps of the art museum.Thank u for all your grit, emotion & authenticity.Always a real one from day 1 pic.twitter.com/ShMGurJjRX
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) January 16, 2024
User @JoePops_ lamented that Kelce’s NFL career had to end on such a down note. The Eagles’ 32–9 loss to Tampa Bay clinched the team’s astonishing fall from grace after beginning this season as one of the league’s premier teams.
“My man Jason Kelce did not deserve to go out like this,” @JoePops_ wrote alongside a widely circulated clip of a visibly emotional Kelce.
“I didn’t think I could feel worse about this, but that look back at the field is a knife in the gut,” added user Doug Bauer.
My man Jason Kelce did not deserve to go out like this pic.twitter.com/JQVYbHvq26
— Joe Pop (@JoePops_) January 16, 2024
Gabriella Galati, meanwhile, focused on all the good Kelce did throughout his career for his fellow centers. “It’s remarkable how cool he made the Center position—one that’s typically a thankless job, he transformed into a role people have a whole lot of respect for now. In what other city is the Center this famous?!” she asked alongside a video of Kelce being cheered by fans.
There is no athlete more beloved in this city than Jason Kelce.
It’s remarkable how *cool* he made the Center position— one that’s typically a thankless job, he transformed into a role people have a whole lot of respect for now. In what other city is the Center this famous?! pic.twitter.com/VFW0i4UjZP
— Gabriella Galati (@ella_galati) January 16, 2024
While many were blindsided by Kelce’s retirement, the announcement shouldn’t entirely come as a surprise. Last weekend, Kelce didn’t provide any solid answers when asked by NBC Sports Philadelphia if Monday would indeed be his final game.
“Whenever you’re older in your career, you never know when [your last game] is going to be,” Kelce said. “My dad’s told me this from the moment I started playing football. You step off the curb one day and that could be the end of your career, so you try to approach every game with that mindset.
“No matter how many more years I play, or any of us play, this team only has one game left, and that’s what we’re really focused on,” Kelce concluded.
