Jason Kelce on the Sentimental Muscle Tank He Wore for NFL Retirement Speech: ‘Part of This Journey with Me’

Jason Kelce candidly revealed why he kept his NFL retirement announcement casual.

The former center of the Philadelphia Eagles shared in the last episode of his New heights podcast with brother Travis Kelce exactly why he opted for a low-key look during Monday’s press conference.

During the episode, the 36-year-old explained how he decided to wear a cut-out muscle tank with the Eagles logo.

“I think I’m starting the day. That’s the first choice you have to make. You ask yourself, ‘What am I going to wear with this thing?’ Like a suit and tie is what most people wear. But that wouldn’t be good. As I don’t think you know, for me -”

“It’s not a wedding,” Travis, 34, quickly interjected. “It’s the only time I’ve ever seen you wear a suit and tie.”

“I’ll wear a suit and tie when I have to, that’s all,” Jason admitted.

Travis Kelce gets choked up again talking about Jason’s retirement, says NFL ‘feels empty’ without him

Jason Kelce reacts during an NFL football news conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia, Monday, March 4, 2024.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

The retired NFL player explained that he considered all possible shirt options he could wear, including a Cleveland Heights or Eagles shirt. But after opening one of his drawers, he found the winning shirt.

He explained how he wore, exercised and lifted weights in that shirt every year. “And I say, ‘You know this shirt, in a way, was part of this journey with me. More than anything in this closet. So I’ll wear this.’”

Jason Kelce arrives at an NFL football press conference to announce his retirement in Philadelphia, Monday, March 4, 2024.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Donna and Travis Kelce wear sweet custom Eagles gear dedicated to Jason after his NFL retirement

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In addition to honoring his 13-season career with his shirt, he also had his coach, Joe O’Pella, wrap his ankles one last time.

“My coach, one of the coaches on the Eagles has been battling cancer all season and has been there my whole career,” Jason explained, adding that Pella is currently in “remission” and has “no signs” of cancer.

“But he didn’t get to film me for a single game this year and he’s been filming my ankles my whole career. So the last time he taped my ankles for the press conference,” Jason revealed.

“So I wore an ankle strap with my sandals. So yeah, that’s what went into, I guess the clothes,” the NFL star concluded.

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Source: HIS Education