Why did Jason Kelce retire? Revisiting the tear-jerking Eagles farewell press conference

As the Eagles prepare to face the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch from 2023, there will be one notable difference. Jason Kelce, who was the starting center for Philadelphia two years ago, retired ahead of this season.

Kelce made seven Pro Bowls in his career, including five straight to end his career, and appeared on six All-Pro first teams, all coming in his last seven seasons. However, the veteran decided that he couldn’t continue playing football, retiring on his own terms.

While Kelce will surely be a part of Super Bowl weekend, with his former team playing his brother’s team, the Sporting News rewinds to when Kelce officially retired.

Jason Kelce retirement video

Kelce’s retirement announcement was emotional, as the longtime Eagle struggled to make it through the announcement without crying. Over a 40-minute stretch, Kelce thanked a wide range of people in his career, and went into depth about all the memorable moments from his life and career.

The full announcement became one of the most memorable retirement speeches in NFL history, as it was clear how much playing for the Eagles meant to Kelce.

When did Jason Kelce retire?

Kelce officially announced his retirement on March 4, 2024, following 13 seasons in the NFL.

Why did Jason Kelce retire?

While Kelce still ended his career on a strong note, making three straight All-Pro teams, he said retiring was an easy decision.

While breaking down the decision on a New Heights episode last March, Kelce explained that he had “debated retiring the last few seasons.” As for why, the former center said he could feel his body not responding as it once did.

“It was more firm than it’s ever been this year that I don’t think physically I can compete at the level that I want to anymore, and really compete the way I want to,” he said. “It’s just gotten to the point where the deterioration and the recovery from that deterioration…if I go out there and I’m not the player that I want to be, it will crush me.”

Kelce had not missed a game since 2014, but that didn’t mean that his body wasn’t aging with time. At 36 years-old, Kelce didn’t want to be a shell of himself out on the field. Although Kelce was sad about never playing in the NFL again, he didn’t have any immediate regrets about the decision.

“I feel very confident in the decision I’ve made,” he said. “I know that it’s time, I had a really good run.”