The End of an Era: Jason Kelce Retires After 13 Seasons with the Eagles

After 13 seasons manning the center position for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Kelce has decided to hang up his cleats. The five-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion announced his retirement in January 2024, bringing an end to one of the most accomplished careers by an offensive lineman in Eagles history.

Kelce leaves the game as arguably the greatest center to ever play for Philadelphia. In his 13 seasons, he started every regular season game for the Eagles, playing through injuries and never missing a single contest. His durability and reliability made him a mainstay on the offensive line and a leader in the locker room. But beyond just his longevity, Kelce established himself as one of the premier players at his position in the entire NFL.

Legendary Status

Kelce’s career accomplishments speak for themselves. He was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, earning first-team All-Pro honors each of those seasons. Only one other center in NFL history, Dermontti Dawson, has been a six-time first-team All-Pro. Kelce was also a second-team All-Pro in 2018, giving him an incredible seven All-Pro selections over his career.

His individual accolades are a testament to his technical brilliance and dominance at the point of attack. Kelce was a mauler in the run game who consistently got push and created holes for running backs. But he was equally adept at pass protection, using his quick feet and intelligence to stymie defenders trying to get to the quarterback. Scouts and analysts praised his textbook technique, balance, and leverage.

Kelce also played a major role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots. He helped power the offense that day to 38 points, controlling the line of scrimmage and keeping quarterback Nick Foles clean in the pocket. For his efforts, he was named Super Bowl LII MVP, becoming just the first center in NFL history to win the award.

Numbers simply don’t do justice to Kelce’s greatness, but they provide context nonetheless. He started every game for 13 years straight, an iron man streak of 184 consecutive regular season games played. That’s the longest active streak among centers in the NFL at the time of his retirement. His career started in 2011 as a sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati and he lived up to being a late-round steal, blossoming into a perennial All-Pro.

Heart of the Eagles

Beyond his on-field production, Kelce also came to embody the spirit and fight of Philadelphia as a hometown hero. The Eagles were his only NFL team, as he played his entire career after being drafted by the franchise that drafted him in 2011. Kelce developed a special bond with Eagles fans and the city itself.

He brought relentless passion, energy, and toughness to his game. Kelce played with a fiery edge and never backed down from challenges. His combative style fit perfectly with Philadelphia’s hardnosed identity and blue-collar fanbase. Eagles fans loved that he left it all on the field for them game after game, season after season.

There was also an everyman quality to Kelce that resonated with Philly. He didn’t act like a prima donna star but rather like one of the regular guys. He was known to frequent local bars and restaurants in the offseason to mix with regular folks. Eagles Nation embraced him as one of their own. Kelce gave everything he had for the city and organization, playing through injuries and never taking a game off in 13 years.

That level of dedication and commitment to one franchise is rare in professional sports these days. Kelce could have chased bigger contracts elsewhere but chose to stay loyal to the Eagles and their fans. His leadership and work ethic continued setting the standard long after many of his teammates moved on. Philadelphia will always have a special place in its heart for the gritty, hard-nosed center who gave his all.

Impactful Plays

While Kelce established himself through years of consistent excellence, he also had a knack for coming up big in crucial moments. Some of his most memorable plays occurred when the Eagles needed it most. Whether it was a key block springing a long touchdown run or an impressive downfield cut block taking out a defender, Kelce rose to the occasion time and again.

One such example came in the 2018 Wild Card playoff game against the Chicago Bears. With the Eagles clinging to a 16-15 lead late in the 4th quarter, Kelce pulled and led the way on a crucial 25-yard run by quarterback Nick Foles that helped ice the game. His block sprung Foles for the backbreaking first down that allowed Philadelphia to run out the clock.

In the Super Bowl the following season, Kelce delivered one of the most impressive plays of his career. On fourth and goal from the one-yard line with the game on the line, he drove his man five yards into the end zone to pave the way for a leaping Foles touchdown. That score put the Eagles up for good on their way to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

You never knew when the next jaw-dropping block might come from Kelce. He seemed to relish the pressure of the biggest moments. Even late in his career, he was making pivotal plays in crunch time that ended up deciding games. Eagles fans will long remember and appreciate his penchant for stepping up when it mattered most.

Legacy of Greatness

While Kelce may no longer be suiting up on Sundays, his legacy as one of the all-time great Eagles and NFL players is cemented. In addition to all the individual accolades and team success, he leaves behind a highlight reel full of punishing blocks, clutch plays in crucial situations, and an endless motor that defined his career.

Kelce also paved the way for future centers both in Philadelphia and around the league. Younger players coming up will study his technique, leverage, and field awareness as the gold standard at the position. His consistency, durability, and leadership set an example for others as well.

Most importantly, Kelce earned the eternal admiration and respect of Eagles fans everywhere for what he gave to the city and franchise. There is no questioning his status as perhaps the greatest center in Philadelphia history. Number 62 will surely be remembered as a warrior, champion and the heartbeat of some of the best Eagles teams in recent memory.

While we may never see another player quite like Jason Kelce take the field again, his legacy and highlights will live on. Eagles Nation is grateful and proud to have witnessed one of the all-time greats in Kelly Green over the past 13 seasons. Though his playing career has ended, Kelce’s impact on the franchise and spirit of competition he embodied will resonate for generations to come. The era of Jason Kelce in Philadelphia was truly special.