Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has told his teammates he is retiring from the NFL, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo both reported the news Tuesday morning, following the Eagles’ 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kelce, who was visibly emotional after the loss, did not speak with reporters after the game. CNN Sport has reached out to the Eagles and Kelce’s agent for comment.
Likely a future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kelce is a seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection.
Kelce, 36, spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Eagles and won Super Bowl LII in February 2018.
Jason Kelce stood on the sideline in tears as the final seconds ticked off in his likely final NFL game. Kelce embraced his long-time offensive line coach. He removed his helmet once the game ended — a Philadelphia Eagles loss that completed a harrowing season-ending collapse — and extended his hand to his wife and his father in the stands.
What Kelce knew then — what the gregarious center couldn’t bring himself to say when he declined to speak to the media in the aftermath of the defeat — was that his football career was over.
The 36-year-old Kelce has wavered on retirement over the last few seasons. Coach Nick Sirianni added to Kelce’s lore by shipping a keg of beer to the center’s home to entice him to return in 2022.
He has been the heart of the Eagles, a hero on the Philadelphia sports scene, a Super Bowl champion. But after 13 seasons, 156 straight starts and six All-Pro Team selections, Kelce has told teammates he intends to retire, three people informed of the decision told The Associated Press.
