The NFL star’s wife said she heard versions of his speech plenty of times throughout the years.

While the rest of the world heard Jason Kelce’s emotional retirement speech on March 4, there was one person who had already knew what words were coming: his wife, Kylie Kelce.

On March 4, Jason Kelce announced his departure from the NFL after a 13-year career as a center for Philadelphia Eagles. The following day, Kylie Kelce spoke with NBC affiliate WCAU and shared her reaction to the anecdotes and words he shared in his emotional retirement speech.

“I think I was the only one that had heard the speech before he went into it,” she said. “I think it was just a perfect summary of 13 years. It was an incredible run he had as a player in the NFL.”

Ed Kelce, father of Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles, reacts during Jason’s NFL retirement announcement at NovaCare Complex on March 4, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

Kylie Kelce noted that her husband’s retirement announcement has been something on his mind for years.

“I’ve heard multiple versions over the last four years. This was a completely different version,” she said. “I think every year he sort of started from scratch as to what was sitting on the surface. But when he said that he was contemplating retirement for years, he means for years.”

Kylie Kelce went on to add that one particular anecdote from her husband’s speech might have been hazily recalled, and it was his words about the night they first met.

“It cracks me up that he tries to talk about what he remembers from that night because he was, as I’ve said before, intoxicated,” she said. “It was very, very sweet. Very kind. It was far too much credit.”

During his speech, Jason Kelce credited his wife for her support as he emotionally recalled meeting her after a Philadelphia Eagles Christmas party.

Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce during the “Kelce” documentary premiere on Sept. 8, 2023 in Philadelphia.Cooper Neill / Getty Images

“I still remember the moment she walked through the door,” Jason Kelce said in his speech. “The first instance is burned in my retina. It was like she glided through the opening. Then she started talking, and I thought, ‘Man, is this what love feels like?’”

Kylie Kelce added that, while she is not surprised by the warmness and care her husband has received from his fans, she is overwhelmed.

“The outpouring of love and support is expected because I know who my husband is and the way he has conducted himself and how that has touched the lives of people,” Kylie Kelce said. “But at the same time, it’s still shocking.”

URGENT NEWS: Chiefs Make Massive Free Agency Decision on L’Jarius Sneed

The Chiefs have had a complicated last few days with L’Jarius Sneed’s contract negotiations, but the organization reportedly will place the franchise tag on the star cornerback on Monday.

It was expected that Kansas City would place the tag on Sneed, keeping the door open for a possible trade to reclaim draft pick compensation instead of losing him for nothing in free agency next season.

While Brett Veach negotiates with Chris Jones and other key free agents, the Chiefs have apparently at least made one big decision that adds some clarity to the ongoing process.

Chiefs Reportedly Plan to Franchise Tag L’Jarius Sneed

The move has not yet been made official, though Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that Kansas City will proceed with the franchise tag on Sneed while the organization negotiates with Chris Jones for an extension.

It feels likely that Sneed will be traded and we’ve seen some reports on potential trade packages, though a potential unreported knee injury could derail negotiations a bit.

Provided the injury isn’t too concerning, Sneed should have a strong market as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL with a versatile style that’s enabled Steve Spagnuolo’s defense to reach new heights in recent years.

While it’s still possible that the Chiefs and Sneed agree on a contract extension if a trade doesn’t materialize, it seems probable that Kansas City will try to win a third straight Super Bowl without Sneed’s services.

We’ll keep you updated as the story develops. Now that the combine is over, it should be a busy week for Chiefs Kingdom.

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Jason Kelce is bidding farewell to his NFL career after dedicating 13 years to playing center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a press conference attended by his brother Travis, mother Donna, and father Ed, Jason shared the news that stirred emotions within the entire Kelce family.

As Jason took the stage to deliver the announcement, he became visibly emotional, breaking into tears and remarking, “Not a good start.”

Throughout the press conference, Kelce reflected on his journey in the sport that led him to Super Bowl victory in 2018.

“I’ve been asked many times why I chose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that quite captures it,” Jason expressed during his poignant declaration. “The best way I can explain it is similar to what draws you to your favorite song … your favorite book. It’s the emotions it evokes. The gravity of it. The intensity.”

He went on, “Stepping onto the field was the most alive and liberated I ever felt. There was a rawness with football, unlike any other sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could make impact, move around like a madman, and then be praised, ‘Good job.’ I cherish football.”

Having spent his entire NFL tenure with the Eagles, Jason took a moment to acknowledge the city of Philadelphia.

“Thirteen seasons in Philadelphia, and I reflect on a career marked by highs and lows,” he remarked. “Nobody celebrates their own like the city of Philadelphia. Athletes become revered in this city, even those whose achievements stretch back decades… You earn love here by going above and beyond to demonstrate that you care, because [the fans] care. They’ve been caring for generations.”

Philadelphia Eagles chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Lurie, praised Kelce in a statement, stating, “Jason was an extraordinary football player; a future Hall of Famer who would have excelled anywhere. But has there ever been a more fitting union between a player, a city, and a team?”

Lurie added, “Jason gave his all for others, battled through injuries, and remained steadfast through the highs and lows of our seasons and his own personal journey. He possesses a multitude of talents — he could share beers with fans at a tailgate, sing on a Christmas album, and raise millions for charity, or discuss X’s and O’s endlessly with coaches and teammates. And then, on the field, he could perform feats that no other offensive lineman could.”

Browse through the photos below capturing the Kelce family’s reaction to Jason’s announcement of retiring from the NFL.

 

 

Jason Kelce has announced his retirement from football in an emotional press conference.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles legend burst into tears before he even started speaking and then finally ended months of speculation as he ended his career on Monday after 13 years in the NFL.

Kelce announced the decision with his brother Travis, wife Kylie and parents Ed and Donna in attendance at the Eagles’ team facility. Footage showed Travis, who wore sunglasses throughout, crying as he watched on.

He needed 45 minutes to recount his career from his childhood in Ohio to his final days with the Eagles through tears, laughter and many thanks to his biggest influences before he finally announced he was retiring.

‘I have been the underdog my entire career,’ he said. ‘And I mean this when I say it, I still wish I was.’

Here is the video of Jason talking about fathers:

Jason Kelce talking about the importance of fathers in his retirement speech: “I think one of the best things a person can be in this world is a father. A father who is present, devoted, and loving is the greatest gift a child could ask for in our society.” pic.twitter.com/6covemvotz

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 4, 2024
 

An emotional Kelce struggled to get his words out – regularly pausing for long periods and his voice breaking as he tried to hold back the tears.

Talking about his relationship with his younger brother, Kelce said: ‘This is where it’s gonna go off the rails.

LeBron James’ son Bronny will decide whether to enter the 2024 NBA Draft based on team interest, says agent Rich Paul… as his dad wants him ‘to be his own man’ after leaving USC

Bronny James, the USC star freshman and son of NBA legend LeBron James, will decide on entering the 2024 NBA Draft based on team interest, not perceived draft position.

Bronny’s draft stock has inadvertently fallen since last July, when he went into cardiac arrest after a summer workout with the Trojans.

The eldest son of LeBron James was once projected as a lottery pick in this summer’s draft before starting his first collegiate season. Last week, Bronny was left completely off ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The snub led to a now-deleted social-media post from LeBron, raging against the decision. James’ reaction to his son being left off of ESPN’s prediction comes a year after the Lakers’ legend said Bronny was ‘definitely better than some of these cats I’ve been watching’.

Instead of being a major player at USC, Bronny has averaged only five points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Yet, the extraordinary potential James showed at powerhouse Sierra Canyon High School cannot be ignored.

 

Bronny James has played for USC this season after going into cardiac arrest over the summer

Bronny’s potential NBA future has been discussed in large part due to his father, LeBron

‘I don’t value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation,’ LeBron’s agent Rich Paul told ESPN.

‘LeBron wants Bronny to be his own man,’ Paul added.

LeBron has long expressed a desire to play in the NBA with his son, as a window only exists for a few years for that to happen, as the elder James turns 40 in December.

Paul added LeBron would be ‘head over heels excited’ if Bronny and he could be on the same roster. Right now, that would mean the James duo staying in Los Angeles.

LeBron suiting up for a fourth NBA franchise is on the table to facilitate his dream.

Due to Bronny’s heart condition as a result of July’s cardiac arrest, the 19-year-old James would have to be cleared by the NBA Fitness to Play Panel. That clearance would be expected, as he’s played for USC throughout the season.

The unknown of opting to enter the 2025 NBA Draft could weigh on Bronny’s decision as well. Although it gives him another opportunity to prove himself at USC, the draft class has been considered deeper with talent than the 2024 edition.

LeBron James says reaching 40K was ‘bittersweet’ due to loss against Nuggets

It was another milestone for LeBron James in a career filed with them, but achieving it in defeat put a damper on the festivities.

 

Needing just nine points to open up and join the 40,000 points club on Saturday, LeBron James got it done in the second quarter versus the Denver Nuggets.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend scored 40k the way he’s scored countless times, getting the switch he wanted and driving to the basket with force. On this particular play, he got Michael Porter Jr. to defend him one-on-one and once he started going downhill, MPJ couldn’t do much about it. LeBron spun to the basket and finished with a nice layup, hitting 40,000 career points exactly.

The L.A. crowd showered him with thunderous applause as the team got back on defense and the Lakers shared a video tribute to the King’s accomplishment during the following break in action.

#Lakers tribute video and the crowd giving LeBron a standing ovation for 40K: pic.twitter.com/FYmE8MKnLJ

— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) March 3, 2024

The Lakers unfortunately didn’t get the win, losing for the eighth time in a row against the Nuggets. So many losses in a similar fashion have fans wondering why Los Angeles can’t beat Denver. The defeat put a damper on the milestone night for LeBron and the Lakers.

“I’m never thinking about a milestone when I’m out there battling, but when it happens, obviously, we acknowledge it,” James said after the game. “Much respect and much loyalty to the Laker fan base for showing me that love during the timeout; being the first player to do something’s pretty cool in this league cause you just know the history, you know the greats that’s come through the league. And then you see some of the greats on the floor tonight. It was just great to compete vs. that.”

“But for me, the main thing is always the main thing and that’s to win. I hated that it had to happen in a defeat, especially versus a team that, you know, played extremely well. We played some good basketball tonight, but wasn’t able to close it out. So, bittersweet, you know, but I enjoyed every moment tonight though on the floor.”

This isn’t the first time the Lakers vs. Nuggets played this season while a big moment surrounded their matchup. The first game between L.A. and Denver was on Denver’s ring night and the next matchup was on Kobe Bryant’s statue unveiling. Now, we have the 40k game. All eventful games and all Denver wins.

Luckily for the Lakers, they won’t play the Nuggets again for the rest of the season, barring a playoff matchup.

Despite the sour feeling of a celebratory moment being ruined with a defeat, James will hopefully embrace his greatness and the NBA world will acknowledge just how special what we are witnessing is.

40,000 points is hard to wrap one’s head around. The only active player even close to it right now is Kevin Durant and he’s at 28,372 points, which is 11,645 points behind Bron. Keep in mind that James is also playing and adding to this number.

LeBron has a player option for next season and may be looking to opt out and sign a longer-term deal. The end is nearing, but his numbers show no signs of him slowing down.

Even in this ‘bittersweet’ game, Bron ended the night with 26 points, a team-high and he did it on 60% shooting from the field. It’s just unprecedented work for a 39-year-old.

When looking at Bron’s career, one can use many statistics and phrases to describe his ridiculousness. I’ll leave you with this: he’s accomplishing things no one predicted he could have done and has spent the majority of his human life as a professional basketball player.

No player had more pressure or hype put upon them at the age of 18 and despite that hype and pressure, he somehow lived up to it and has won a title in three different jerseys spanning 21 years.

And he’s still not done.

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LeBron James becomes first NBA player to reach 40,000 points

The LA Lakers forward reached the milestone in his 21st season in the NBA, but termed it ‘bittersweet’ as it came in a loss against Denver Nuggets.

 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James acknowledges fans after scoring to become the first NBA player to reach 40,000 points in a career [Mark J Terrill/AP]Published On 3 Mar 20243 Mar 2024

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LeBron James has become the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career points, scoring on a driving layup in LA Lakers’ home game against the Denver Nuggets.

James became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader more than a year ago when he passed former Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 7, 2022. Abdul-Jabbar had 38,387 points over 20 seasons.

James entered Saturday’s game with a career average of 27.1 points per game over 1,474 contests in 21 NBA seasons.

Needing nine points to reach his latest milestone, the Akron, Ohio, native had five points on 2-of-3 shooting in the first quarter.

James cut to the basket for a layup to open the second quarter then reached the 40,000 mark when he drove past the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr with a spin then made a left-handed layup with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter.

He called the historic effort “bittersweet” as it came in a losing cause. James finished with 26 points, but the Lakers lost to the Nuggets 124-114.

“Being the first player to do something, it’s pretty cool in this league ‘cause you just know the history, you know the grace that has come through the league,” James said after the game.

“But the main thing is always the main thing and that’s the win. And I hated that had to happen in a defeat, especially versus a team that plays extremely well.

“We played some good basketball but wasn’t able to close it out, so bittersweet, but I enjoyed every moment though, while on the floor.”

Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for becoming the first player ever to score 40,000 career points! pic.twitter.com/gShSHPICS8

— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2024

James is a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player as well as the league’s oldest active player, now in his 21st campaign.

The 39-year-old has been on a scoring surge of late, with an average of 30.8 points over his previous four games. James entered the game averaging 25.3 points per game this season with 7.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists.

He scored the first points of his career as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 29, 2003, against the Sacramento Kings. He reached 10,000 points in February 2008 and hit 20,000 points in January 2013. James made his 30,000th point in January 2018.

“Just happy for him. It was a hell of an accomplishment,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Wish we could have got the win to cap it off. But my hat’s off to him. Amazing, amazing run that continues to this day.”

The crowd gave James a standing ovation during a timeout and the ball James used for the milestone hoop was removed from the game.

LeBron James and his wife heartbroken as their 1st-date location in Akron closes down

 

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Former Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James and his wife Savannah reacted on social media after learning that the location of their first date — an Outback Steakhouse in Akron, Ohio — has closed down.

Some time ago, Savannah James recalled the first date during an interview and shared a special moment that came from it.

“I knew he loved me when I left my leftovers from dinner in his car,” she told Harper’s Bazaar years ago.

She continued.

“I’d totally forgotten about them, and he brought them to me,” she said. “I think he just wanted another excuse to come and see me.”

The couple met in high school and got married in 2013. The relationship between the two has served as an inspiration for many over the years.

It’s an exciting era for the James family, especially with Bronny James — the eldest child in the family — trying to reach the NBA. Bronny James is currently playing at the University of Southern California and could be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Meanwhile, LeBron James is in the midst of his 21st NBA season, and he’s still one of the league’s elite players. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this season while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc.

His Los Angeles Lakers are 33-28 and currently hold the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference. Earlier this season, they won the NBA Cup by emerging victorious in the league’s In-Season Tournament.

The future of the Lakers superstar is in question, as he could become a free agent this offseason. He has a player option on his deal for the 2024-25 season that he could decline.

There has been some speculation about the possibility of LeBron James returning to Cleveland before his career ends, but it’s unclear if that’s a realistic scenario. Earlier in his career, the 20-time All-Star helped the Cavs win their first NBA title, as the organization stunned the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.

It may be a sad time in the James household amid the closing of Akron’s Outback Steakhouse, but LeBron and Savannah James will certainly be able to hold on to the memories of their first date forever.

As 40,000 points nears, see how LeBron James’ stats dwarf others on NBA all-time scoring list

With just nine points Saturday night LeBron James will become the first NBA player to score more than 40,000 points in his career. How did he do it? Three words:

 

Consistency: James has averaged 27 points per game for his career. He’s never averaged less than 25 points per season since his rookie year.

Longevity: In his 21st season as a 39-year-old, he’s played in the NBA longer than he hasn’t. The average NBA career is about five years. Even players with longer careers generally retire by their mid-30s.

Durability: James has played an average of 71 games per season for two decades.

We’ve compiled several of the data points that show James’ consistency, longevity and durability. And, we’ve charted his prolific scoring against some of the NBA’s greats and some of the league’s rising stars.

How many points LeBron James has compared to other NBA greats

Three of the NBA’s top scorers scored at higher rates earlier in their careers, but James has maintained his pace longer in his career. It did help that his career started sooner than most: He entered the NBA at age 19 out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.

NBA greats score with longevity and consistency

James, who turned 39 in in December, has averaged 25 points per game this season. Only two other players Karl Malone and Michael Jordan averaged more than 20 points per game when they were 39. Not unsurprisingly, four of the NBA’s top five scorers played until age 39 or older.

While James has averaged 71 regular-games per season, that number has been declining since joining the Lakers. Between the 2018-19 and 2022-23 seasons, he’s averaged just over 55 games while he’s battled foot and ankle injuries.

What are the chances that LeBron James’ record will be broken?

Several of the top current players in the NBA have scored at a similar pace to James. Here’s how their scoring trajectories – all through the 2022-23 season – compare to James’ 20 complete seasons. Below, a chart compares his first 10 seasons to some of the NBA’s rising stars.

How many points can LeBron James score before he retires?

But James isn’t finished yet. If he stays healthy and plays just one more season at a similar scoring rate he could approach 42,000 points by the end of the 2024-25 season. Here’s calculator we set up for the 2022-23 season when he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career record.

LeBron James also is one of the greatest in assists

James has always been more than just a scorer. He’s solidly now No. 4 on the all-time assists list after passing Mark Jackson and Steve Nash in January 2023. For now, No. 3 looks out of James’ reach with 38-year-old Chris Paul still playing for the Warriors and more than 900 assists ahead of him.

LeBron James’ stats and accomplishments compared to Michael Jordan

When you’ve been around as long and accomplished as much as James has, your accomplishments become statistics in themselves. Here’s how his awards and titles stack up to Jordan. You can find a more complete discussion about whether James or Jordan is the greatest of all time, aka the GOAT, here.

Lakers’ LeBron James reflects on meaning of surpassing 40K career points: ‘I think it’s pretty cool’

 

After scoring 31 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 134-131 overtime win over the Washington Wizard at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, LeBron James is nine points away from reaching 40,000 points.

James, who has the longest double-digit scoring streak in NBA history, will almost certainly pass the 40,000-point threshold on Saturday when the Lakers host the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

Following the win over the Wizards, James was asked if passing the 40,000-point mark means anything to such a decorated player who is already the league’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time MVP.

“I mean, I can’t sit here and say no because, of course,” James said. “No one has ever done it. And for me to be in this position at this point and time in my career, I think it’s pretty cool. Does it sit at the top of the things I’ve done in my career? No. But does it mean something? Of course. Absolutely. Why wouldn’t it?

“To be able to accomplish things in this league, with the greatest players to ever play in this league, the NBA, this has been a dream of mine and to hit feats and have milestones throughout my career, they all mean something to me. Absolutely. Obviously, there’s a pecking order of which ones are higher than others, but absolutely. I would be lying to you if I said it doesn’t mean anything. Because it absolutely does.”

James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record on Feb. 7, 2023, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 career points) with Abdul-Jabbar in attendance. James said he hasn’t thought about adding to the margin and how high his point total could ultimately reach since the record.

“No,” James said. “No. I never thought about getting the scoring record. It just happened organically. I played the game the right way and went out and played the game and let the game come to me and the scoring record happened organically for me. It was never a goal of mine when I came into the league, like I wanted to be the all-time leading scorer. But I’m still playing. And I can still score the ball so it’s going to go up until I’m done playing.”

James scored the ball a lot over the past two games — 34 points vs. the Clippers and 31 points vs. the Wizards — but his late defense also played a pivotal role in the second straight victory.

Midway through the overtime period, Wizards guard Jordan Poole streaked out in transition after a James turnover and appeared to have an uncontested layup that would’ve put the Wizards up by five points over the Lakers.

But James, tracking Poole from behind, timed his contest perfectly and swatted it against the backboard with his left hand.

“Well, I mean, I was taught at a young age when you turn the ball over you need to sprint back. And me and AD had a miscommunication on that read and I threw the pocket pass before he opened up to see the ball. And once I saw Tyus Jones kind of throw it, I tried to see if I could get back and tried to make a play. Obviously it was a big play in the game and I was happy I was able to chase it down.”

Kyle Kuzma corralled the offensive rebound and missed a pull-up 3-pointer. On the next possession, James, isolating against Kyle Kuzma, drilled a step-back 3-pointer to tie the game. The five-point swing changed the momentum and sealed the game in LA’s favor. The Wizards wouldn’t score again as the Lakers pulled away over the final 2:30.

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