Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce walks back on retirement talk: What did he say?
The Eagles’ star had already given football fans a reason to talk following his team’s exit from the playoffs. Could it be that he’s had second thoughts?
There is no way to deny the idea, that the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans would have been hugely disappointed after the team was eliminated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 in the Wild Card Round. That’s probably why one of their stars reacted knee-jerk to the loss.
Jason Kelce clears the air on retirement talk
The Eagles and their fans can rest a little easier. Jason Kelce has had a rethink about retirement. If you missed it, in the fallout of Monday’s loss to the Bucs, the 36-year-old center indicated that he was ready to call it quits. Speaking on the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast, Kelce explained that he didn’t want his feelings to get the better of him.
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite, I guess, what’s been leaked to the media,” Jason told his brother and podcast co-host, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don’t. There;’s too much emotion in the moment, there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision.” For context, Kelce refused to field questions from the media following the loss to the Bucs, one which was truly unexpected after a 10-1 start to the season from a team that contested the Super Bowl just last year. Regardless, Kelce didn’t hide from the idea that he wore his heart on his sleeve “People can kind of feel body language and stuff,” he said.
OK, but what did Jason Kelce say about retirement?
If you caught our previous report, you will know that the six-time first-team All-Pro reportedly spoke with his teammates, encouraging them despite the frustrating end to the season. “I got belief in every single one of you guys. Cherish the moments you have in this league,” he said during his locker room speech. “A lot of guys [said], ‘If that is your last game, I feel sorry for you,’” Kelce recalled. “I’m like, ‘Don’t feel sorry for me, mother f****r. I had a f*****g ...”
A son of the soil, Kelce has spent his entire 13-year career in Philadelphia. Though he indicated that he’s “not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out,” it’s clear that he’s not happy with the way this most recent campaign - potentially his last - has come to an end. “When it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had,” he added. “I don’t think it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that.”