Jason Kelce left a lasting mark on the NFL and was much more than just Travis’ big brother.
After announcing his retirement on Monday evening, fan reaction immediately poured in to praise the 36-year-old Jason for everything that he meant to Philadelphia Eagles fans and NFL devotees.
“Congrats on retirement king,” one fan tweeted.
“Thanks for the years, Jason,” a second fan posted.
“Hard to forget when Jason drank a beer with fans,” a third fan said.
A tearful Jason announced his retirement in the most Jason way possible.
He mentioned there wouldn’t be a keg stand — after he became even more famous during the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl run by partying with fans in the stands while going shirtless in freezing weather.
“It’s only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the city of brotherly love, I knew that relationship all too well,” said Jason, referencing Taylor Swift.
NFL fans either love or hate the Eagles.
But when it comes to Jason, there is no in between.
The party-loving, older Kelce brother dominated coverage of the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl, despite the Eagles getting blown out in a Wild Card game early in the postseason.
By the time that Travis and the Chiefs edged the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in an overtime thriller inside Allegiant Stadium, Jason was an internet sensation.
Then he became even bigger on social media by wearing red-and-yellow overalls while playing DJ and partying with a mask on, as Taylor Swift and Travis continued their blossoming romance.
Jason is truly a man of the people and has embraced the spotlight that now follows the Kelce brothers everywhere.
Since entering the league in 2011 as a sixth-round draft pick out of Cincinnati, the seven-time Pro Bowler has become universally loved across the football world and is expected to eventually enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“You know what an underdog is? It’s a hungry dog,” said Jason, in a Super Bowl parade quote that perfectly sums up his career.
The sight of a visibly emotional Jason crying on the sideline after Philadelphia’s painful defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also connected with NFL fans, who saw a highly respected 13-year veteran realising in real time that he might have played his final professional game.
Jason told teammates in the locker room after the season-ending loss that he was retiring, according to ESPN.
Jason considered retiring in recent seasons and there had been growing speculation that the 2023 campaign could be his final one.
But as of March 3, Jason was still an NFL player, while his brother Travis was part of a dynasty with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
“Hall of Famer and I’m sure Jason Kelce would do well on a pregame (TV) show,” one fan tweeted.
While Travis is the super-famous Chiefs tight end who hosts Saturday Night Live and dates an international pop music superstar, older Jason brought a workman-like vibe to the blue-collar Eagles and his worldwide fame.
Jason is down to earth, low key, funny and highly relatable.
He wore flip-flops before NFL games while many players treated locker-room entrances like a Paris fashion show.
He also wore crazy costumes and hilarious masks, embracing Philly culture and the city’s us-against-the-world vibe.
Jason also embraced his role as a father and husband, with the 6ft 3in and 295lb offensive lineman letting the world know how much his family meant to him.
“Being a father is by far the biggest highlight of my life, no question about it,” Jason told People.
Despite not being taken until the next-to-last round of the draft, the Ohio native became one of the greatest offensive linemen of his era.
Jason started 193 games, made six All Pro teams and was at the center of the Tush Push, a play so successful that many NFL teams pushed for a league ban.
Throw in a popular podcast with Travis, and Jason’s support of the Phillies during their recent MLB playoff run, and there’s no doubt that a sixth-rounder from Cincy has become one of the most popular linemen in NFL history.
When there were hints about his retirement, Jason answered the questions by going to McDonald’s and giving a worker a signed jersey.
Some fans loved watching the Eagles fall apart down the stretch of the 2023 season and took pleasure in Philadelphia being knocked out of the playoffs by Tampa Bay.
But Jason’s NFL contributions on and off the field were instantly praised when news broke about his retirement.
“Hungry dogs run faster,” screamed Jason, after the Eagles won it all by beating Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Jason might be done with the NFL, but he won’t be forgotten in football anytime soon.
“Jason Kelce’s future is bright way beyond football,” a fan posted. “A transcendent player, I can see him become a US Senator.
“He would galvanise communities — he is smart, thoughtful, with a great moral compass. Thank you Jason Kelce for 13 years of excellence with the Eagles.”