The Unlikely “King” of Philadelphia

Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the greatest centers in Philadelphia Eagles history. Entering his 12th NFL season in 2022, Kelce has been a mainstay on the Eagles offensive line and a cornerstone of the team’s success over the past decade. However, Kelce’s accomplishments and leadership have often gone underappreciated on a national level. While he lacks the flashy individual stats or awards of superstar quarterbacks and skill position players, Kelce’s steady excellence in the trenches and impact in the locker room make him worthy of recognition as “King” in Philadelphia.

Kelce has been a model of consistency and durability since becoming the Eagles’ starting center in 2013. In the nine full seasons since, he has started 127 out of a possible 128 regular season games. Kelce’s ironman streak of consecutive starts ended only due to injury in 2021, highlighting just how reliable he has been in the middle of the Eagles’ offensive line for the better part of a decade. His steady presence and veteran leadership up front have allowed the Eagles offense to develop continuity and chemistry over the years.

Beyond just showing up and doing his job on Sundays, Kelce has also established himself as one of the premier pass blocking centers in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, Kelce has not allowed a sack since 2016 – an incredible streak of over 75 games without giving up quarterback pressure up the middle. His combination of technique, strength, and football IQ make him nearly impossible to beat one-on-one in pass protection. Kelce’s ability to protect Carson Wentz and now Jalen Hurts has been a major factor in the Eagles’ offensive success in recent seasons.

In the running game, Kelce is equally dominant. He is renowned around the league for his ability to make accurate line calls and adjustments pre-snap based on the defense’s alignment. Post-snap, Kelce is a mauler who drives defenders off the ball with power and leverage. The Eagles have consistently ranked among the NFL’s best rushing attacks with Kelce anchoring their zone blocking schemes. From LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles to Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, Eagles running backs have thrived running behind Kelce’s blocks over the years.

While individual stats and awards don’t tell the full story of an offensive lineman’s impact, Kelce’s accolades are impressive. He has earned five Pro Bowl selections from 2014-2018, a rare honor for a center. Kelce was also named First Team All-Pro in 2014 and Second Team All-Pro in 2017-2018. These honors recognize him among the best at his position during those seasons. Most notably, Kelce was a key part of the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LII in 2017-2018 – the franchise’s first ever championship. His leadership and blocking helped power Philadelphia to an upset victory over the New England Patriots and Tom Brady.

Beyond the stats and honors, Kelce’s greatest contributions to the Eagles may come in the locker room and film room. He is renowned around the league for his football IQ, work ethic, and ability to command respect as a leader. Kelce takes complete ownership of the offensive line’s performance and sets the standard for preparation and attention to detail. His vocal, energetic style keeps his teammates focused, accountable and firing on all cylinders. Kelce has also become one of the faces of the franchise, famously delivering his now-legendary Super Bowl parade speech that captured the city of Philadelphia. Eagles players consistently cite Kelce as the heartbeat and emotional leader of the team.

While Kelce’s individual stats and accolades alone may not stack up to more heralded offensive stars, his overall body of work and intangible leadership qualities make him deserving of recognition. Entering his 12th season in 2022, Kelce is still performing at an elite level on the field in his early 30s. Off the field, he has become an ambassador for the city and franchise. Kelce embodies the blue-collar, gritty identity that Philadelphia sports fans hold dear. Though not flashy, he is the definition of consistency, toughness and reliability – traits that have helped establish a winning culture in Philadelphia.

Some have questioned if Kelce truly deserves nicknames like “King” that seem to be reserved for historic careers with countless awards and records. However, the impact of leadership and setting the right example can be just as important to team success, if not more so, than individual honors. By anchoring the Eagles’ offensive line and leading by example both on and off the field for over a decade, Kelce has earned the right to be crowned Philadelphia’s “King.”

While he lacks the glamour and spotlight of superstar skill position players, Kelce’s greatness lies in his steady excellence in the trenches – the part of football few fans notice but teams cannot succeed without. For an undersized center who went undrafted out of Cincinnati to carve out such a long, decorated career speaks volumes about his work ethic, football IQ, and toughness. Kelce has left an indelible mark on Eagles history and shown future generations what it truly means to be a professional. That type of intangible leadership is every bit as worthy of recognition as flashy stats or awards.

So while Kelce may not rack up MVP trophies or hold NFL records, his impact on the Eagles franchise and city of Philadelphia over the past decade makes him more than deserving of being called “King.” His steady reliability in the trenches and locker room fire have been driving forces behind the team’s sustained success. Kelce is the heart and soul of Philadelphia football, and his greatness lies not in individual honors but in being the steady heartbeat of a champion. For that, he will always have a crown as one of the city’s greatest sports heroes. The “King of Philadelphia” title is richly deserved for Jason Kelce and what he has brought to the Eagles franchise.