Jason Kelce has announced his retirement from football during an emotional press conference.
The Philadelphia Eagles legend broke down in tears before he even started speaking, finally ending months of speculation when he ended his career on Monday after 13 years in the NFL.
Kelce announced the decision in front of his brother Travis, wife Kylie and parents Ed and Donna at the Eagles’ team facility.
Speculation first arose that Kelce would hang up his cleats when the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January.
However, he declined to announce a final decision on his future in the weeks that followed, instead supporting brother Travis throughout the postseason as the Kansas City Chiefs ultimately won the Super Bowl.
Jason Kelce has announced his retirement from football during an emotional press conference
The Kelce brothers are two of the NFL’s biggest stars thanks to their New Heights podcast
Jason, 36, pictured alongside his wife Kylie and their three young children
Kelce was close to retirement this time last year, but decided to stick around for another season after struggling to walk away — a process that was captured on film in his hit Amazon Prime documentary.
Kelce was drafted by the Eagles in 2011 and has had a sensational 13-year career in Philadelphia.
The center, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, won the Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2018 when they defeated the New England Patriots in Minnesota.
The center, who co-hosts the highly successful “New Heights” podcast with his brother Travis and joined Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcast during his bye week this season, appears destined for a career in broadcasting if he so chooses.
He said he has already met with executives from Fox and ESPN Front office sportsas he used Super Bowl week in Las Vegas to “make the rounds” with networks.
Kelce celebrates winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2018
The sun also reported that there was already a ‘battle’ between several broadcasters to win Kelce’s services – and that he could earn up to $5 million a year for his football analysis.
Despite the lucrative offers that appear to be waiting for Kelce, he recently admitted he was worried about what life after football might look like.
“It’s exciting to think about possibilities, it’s exciting to lose weight, feel good and not have to physically fight for my life every day,” said Kelce, 36. “It’s also scary. It’s fear. Ultimately, it’s the unknown.
‘People ask if you get nervous before competitions, but the only competitions I get nervous about are the first time; you don’t know what to expect. Ironically, it makes you play better, it brings your senses to life. But that’s kind of what it’s all about when you start thinking about retirement.
‘It’s exciting, the possibilities. We were all fortunate to have exposure to many different areas. But that is also very nerve-wracking, you only know what you will like when you do it. You don’t know what you’re going to find fulfillment in until you do it, you don’t know what you’re going to be good at until you do it.
‘All those things are also in the back of your mind. No matter how you deal with it, whoever you are, how well prepared you are to enter the next phase, basically everyone goes through some level of depression.
‘One of the things you love most in your life is coming to an end and you have to come to grips with it.
‘Maybe you’re having a hard time, but you don’t know it. I feel like you might struggle with football, but you get that win, that little shot, dopamine, like “I got it.” I’m a big hit guy.”
More to follow.
