Now retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce let his longtime trainer, who missed his last game for chemotherapy treatments, tape his ankles one last time at his retirement press conference.
Kelce played for the Philadelphia Eagles for 13 seasons and he announced his retirement Monday with a speech that is widely considered one of the greatest retirement speeches of all time.
Now retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce made waves with his retirement speech
Now retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce made waves with his retirement speech in more than one way. Tim McManus from ESPN explained how Kelce kept getting caught up in his emotions during the speech.
“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that gets it right,” Kelce, wearing a sleeveless Eagles T-shirt, said during a 45-minute speech that he had to stop many times as he was overtaken by emotion. “The best way I could explain it is what draws you to your favorite song … your favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it. The intensity of it.
“Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt. There was a visceral feeling with football, unlike any sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could hit somebody, run around like a crazed lunatic and then get told, ‘Good job.’ I love football.”
Another aspect of the speech that went viral was the romantic story about how he met his wife, Kylie Kelce, and what she meant to him as a football player for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The most Philly love story of all time 🥺
Jason Kelce tells us about the night he met his wife Kylie during his retirement press conference. pic.twitter.com/uCiqiQyPOS
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 4, 2024
Jason Kelce was important to everyone in the Philadelphia Eagles organization
Upon leaving the podium after his retirement speech, it was shown just how much Jason Kelce means to the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization. Kelce was met with a round of applause by Eagles staff after the retirement press conference.
Following his retirement speech, @JasonKelce got a round of applause from @Eagles staff members 💚pic.twitter.com/9lq7kLzHSq
— NFL (@NFL) March 6, 2024
Kelce wasn’t only important to the Eagles and their organization, but he was also important to the NFL and many fans around the league.
He garnered praise from all types of fanbases, even though the Eagles are home to one of the most controversially vocal fanbases in the NFL.
As a cowboy fan , congratulations on a great career, you were a fantastic center and I see the HOF in your near future.
— Daniel Horner (@DanielH42946126) March 6, 2024
This guy just does everything right! Good luck in your next chapter! 🙏🙏🙏
— John monaghan (@monaghanjohn39) March 6, 2024
Love him or hate him he will always be a legend congratulations on retirement.
— Noah kilborn (@noah_kilborn03) March 6, 2024
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