Philadelphia Eagles’ six-time All-Pro center, Jason Kelce, has reportedly announced his retirement to teammates in a postgame locker room meeting on Monday night.
The 36-year-old, widely regarded as a future Hall-of-Famer, displayed visible emotions following the Eagles’ 32-9 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kelce has contemplated retirement after previous seasons, but this time, the decision is reported to be genuine and imminent.
As ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Twitter, Kelce has now made the decision to retire.
Known for his exceptional skills and leadership on the field, Kelce leaves an indelible mark on the Eagles’ franchise.
His retirement marks the end of an era, as he played a pivotal role in the team’s success over the years. Kelce’s impact extends beyond individual accolades, contributing significantly to the Eagles’ triumph in Super Bowl LII.
Kelce joined an elite group of NFL centers, becoming the fifth in history to achieve at least six All-Pro selections. This distinguished list includes Hall of Famers Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner,Dermotti Dawson, and Jim Ringo.
“I love him … He’s special, and I love him,” head coach Nick Sirianni said after the game against the Bucs.
“He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around. Obviously, he’s always got a place here. We’ll always want him to play, and we’ll see what happens as time progresses.”