PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce will be retiring after the team's playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, three people informed of the decision told The Associated Press.
They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday out of respect for Kelce's decision, which has not yet been made public.
Kelce, 36, became visibly emotional at the end of the loss last night, and Schefter reports he told his teammates in the postgame locker room on Monday night that he will be retiring.
Kelce has contemplated retirement for several seasons. He declined to speak to reporters after the loss.
“I love him. Yeah, obviously we’re not there at that position yet, ready to talk about that, but he’s special and I love him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said after the game. “He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around. He’s always got a place here and always want him to play."
Kelce was a sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft.
In total, Kelce will have suited up for 13 seasons with the Eagles, and is the franchise's all-time leader in games played.
The burly, bushy-haired and bearded Kelce has been a stalwart of the offensive line since he was drafted and as an Iron Man after he missed most of the 2012 season with a partially torn MCL and torn ACL.
As a 7-time Pro Bowler, Kelce was an integral part of a dominant Eagles offensive line for over a decade, and helped the team capture its first Super Bowl title in 2017.
He’s a beloved Philly personality and has done it all off the football field, too, such as singing the national anthem at a 76ers game, partying with the Phanatic and pounding a beer to a roaring ovation at a Phillies postseason game.
But the moment that endeared him for life to the Philly faithful came at the Super Bowl parade in 2018 when he dressed as one of Philadelphia’s famed Mummers, and the ultimate underdog delivered a fiery, profane speech that whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
“No one likes us! No one likes us! No one likes us! We don’t care,” Kelce exclaimed. “We’re from Philly! (Expletive) Philly. No one likes us! We don’t care!”
“He’s a legend in the city. Really in the league,” Eagles QB Jalen Hurts said. “I don’t want to do a disservice to him and the things he’s been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn’t come easy. It’s been a long, long time coming for him, and every year since I’ve been here it’s been, are you going to come back? But he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I’ve learned from him. He’ll forever have a special place in my heart.”
Kelce is the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The brothers played each other last season in the Super Bowl — won by the Chiefs — and have gained tremendous popularity through their "New Heights Podcast," which has 1.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
Another veteran, defensive lineman Brandon Graham, said he wants to play a final season in Philadelphia as a farewell tour.
“It hurts because we had so much potential this year,” Graham said.
The Eagles entered Monday night looking for a solution to what ailed them during a stunning about-face that saw them go 1-5 down the stretch after a 10-1 start to the season that included a dominant 14-point victory over Tampa Bay in Week 3.
“The well ran dry a little the last six weeks," Eagles tackle Lane Johnson said.