WATCH: ‘Heartbroken’ Jason Kelce, who possibly played his last NFL game, didn’t hold back his tears during the Eagles’ loss against the Bucs
Philadelphia suffered a blowout loss of 9-32 at the hands of Tampa Bay on Monday night.
Jason Kelce’s emotional breakdown on sideline in Philly’s playoff loss (Via screengrab/ X)
It’s an emotional time for the Philadelphia Eagles as the team fell miserably against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the wild card of the playoffs on Monday night. It was especially heartbreaking for center Jason Kelce who possibly played his last game with the Eagles.
There have been a lot of rumors about the 36-year-old possible retirement shortly. And after seeing him emotional on the sidelines as Philly’s Super Bowl dream was crushed on Monday night, it appears the “possible retirement” will be happening sooner than later.
In his 13-year career playing in the NFL, Kelce has accomplished a lot of things that will surely make him the First Hall of Famer in Canton, Ohio, someday. But when his team, who had an unbeatable record of 10-1 till week 12, suffered a blowout loss of 9-32 at the hands of Tampa Bay, Kelce couldn’t hold back his tears while being on the sideline.
I have no idea if this is Jason Kelce final game, but if it is…he is a damn Philly legend! I thank him! #FlyEaglesFly
#JasonKelce#Philadelphia #Eaglespic.twitter.com/7DZ3ayE3vn— AC (@ACinPhilly) January 16, 2024
For an older player, who is an accomplished veteran, such an emotional breakdown reflects it’s more than just the playoff loss. Though it hasn’t been confirmed, Kelce’s sideline emotions made fans speculate that he might have played his last NFL game and will announce his retirement shortly after the season ends.
For the Eagles fans, Kelce is known as a hero to legions and was a major part of leading the team to their Super Bowl win back in 2018. The veteran also carries the record for the highest number of consecutive starts by a center in the franchise’s history. Therefore, his retirement would be an emotional moment for not just the Eagles, but for the whole NFL.
Jason Kelce didn’t rule out retirement as he prepared for playoff matchup
Ahead of the crucial playoff game against the Bucs, the Eagles center was asked about his given retirement from the NFL by a reporter, and Kelce didn’t shut down the idea. In an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia, Kelce admitted as he openly talked about the end of his NFL career saying,
Whenever you're older in your career, you never know when that's gonna be.
Jason Kelce (via Imago)
The veteran center, who was drafted in 2011 by the Eagles has established himself as arguably the greatest center in the league. He has been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times throughout his career.
Kelce, who has started 205 games of Eagles as a starter center, shared one piece of advice from his father as he indirectly answered questions regarding his future in the league.
You step off the curb one day, and that could be the end of your career.
As Kelce got older, he came to realize his father’s words in a more literal way and shared that “the end of his career” was in front of him more evidently.
