Jason Kelce Promises That He’ll ‘Never’ Leave Philadelphia as He Talks Retirement Plans

Jason Kelce may be leaving the NFL, but he’s not leaving Philadelphia.

The recently retired football player, 36, told his brother Travis Kelce on the latest episode of their podcast, New heights with Jason and Travis Kelcethis week that he plans to stay in Philadelphia, where he played his entire 13-year NFL career and met his wife Kylie in 2014.

Jason’s remarks about staying in Philadelphia came after Travis, 36, broke down in tears telling his brother he “appreciates” being a role model throughout his life. “I just appreciate you for showing me the way and taking us all with you,” Travis told his brother.

“Look, I haven’t played anymore, but I’ll still go to the games,” Jason replied. “Like I said, you’ve been playing on your own for a long time and I’m looking forward to being able to appreciate and watch your games more and get a bigger picture of soccer and all that it has to offer while staying local in Philadelphia. I will never be there.”

Jason said the announcement of his retirement on Monday opened “another chapter” in his life. “In a way, I’ll be able to experience more things and do things I’ve never done before, which is exciting,” Jason said.

The seven-time NFL Pro Bowler has been mulling his retirement publicly for years, often citing his family as a reason to retire from the game. Jason and Kylie, who married in April 2018, have three daughters together: Bennett, 11 months, Elliotte, 2½, and Wyatt, 4.

Jason Kelce tearfully recalls meeting wife Kylie at NFL retirement speech: ‘Aura around her’

Jason Kelce.

Kevin Sabitus/Getty

“It’s getting harder and harder to play,” Jason told his wife in a poignant scene from his Kelce documentary released last September when the couple discussed the impact of football on his body and his ability to be present in the lives of his children.

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Weeks after what will be his last NFL game in January, Jason said Philadelphia Inquirer that he wants to stay “involved” in the Eagles organization in some way.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with me, but I know that I still want to be involved in the organization and that I still want to be a part of it – regardless of the decision,” the Eagles center, 36, said Inquirer. “Because I don’t want to feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these accomplishments and these accolades and these opportunities that pretty much represent entire cities and fan bases and organizations.”

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Jason Kelce and family at NFL training camp.

Kylie Kelce/Instagram

While his future with the organization is unclear, it’s clear that Jason and his family remain beloved in Philadelphia.

Donovan McNabb, his former teammate and one of the most famous Eagles players of all time, told TMZ this week that Kelce’s decision to stay in Philadelphia for his entire 13-year career led to a “historic” era for the NFL franchise.

“He and his wife kind of realized that everybody’s around Philadelphia, everybody’s about the Eagles,” McNabb said, adding that Kelce “will go down as one of the best” and most respected players in Philadelphia history.

“Thank you, Philadelphia,” Jason said at the very end of his speech on Monday. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me represent this city and for letting me come into your homes every Sunday. Growing up, it was truly a privilege. You all were so good to me and my family. Growing up in Cleveland, I watched all my favorite athletes leave town. Hell, my whole team left town. It’s always been a goal of mine to play in one city my entire career, and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better one, and I’m a better fit if I try. I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await, and I know that I take with me the lessons of my time here. And that we will all share the bond of being Philadelphians forever.”

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Source: HIS Education