Jason Kelce officially announced his retirement from the National Football League on Monday (March 4) during an emotional press conference.
Throughout the 40-minute conference, the Philadelphia Eagles center reflected on his career as he broke down in tears several times. His brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, was in attendance, and was also spotted wiping tears from his face.
Jason spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Eagles, and notched a Super Bowl win in 2018. He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection. Jason mentioned Travis in a particularly emotional moment in the conference, noting, “There is no chance I would be here without the bond Travis and I share. It made me stronger, tougher, smarter and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience and understanding.”
He continued, “It’s only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. I knew that relationship all too well.”
Jason watched Travis and the Chiefs win against the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas last month, supporting his brother from a private suite with Travis’ pop superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Lana Del Rey, Miles Teller and more famous friends.
After the game, Travis, Jason and Swift stepped out at a club in Las Vegas to celebrate with the younger Kelce’s teammates. Many viral videos emerged from the party, including clips of the Philadelphia Eagles center dancing in a red and yellow wrestling mask and the 14-time Grammy winner singing along to her own songs with Travis.
