Jason Kelce reveals what the Philadelphia Eagles mean to him
The future Hall of Famer revealed after planning to play in 2023 what the Philadelphia Eagles have meant to his career.
For future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce, his rationale for returning to football in 2023 was actually quite simple.
The Philadelphia Eagles star played a central role in the Eagles' run game, and he enjoyed playing for head coach Nick Sirianni. So, really, what brought him back to the game, after thinking about retirement, was that the game of football was still fun.
"You think about it and the moment the season is over, you try to decompress a little bit and because we played in the Super Bowl there was a little less time because you want to make a decision before free agency starts to let the team know what's happening," Kelce said. "Howie (Roseman) was very kind to me in making it open-ended with no pressure but I understand the circumstances. Ultimately, just trying to weigh the pros and cons, right? This is a wonderful business and I love playing football, but there are drawbacks. You sit there and you think of all of those things, talk to the right people, and eventually, it became clear that I'm not quite ready to call it quits yet… I really enjoy this team, this organization, and the coaches. It was a fun year last year and I'm looking forward to another fun one this year.
Kelce believed that when the game isn't fun anymore that's when he will hang it all up. And it appears he hasn't waivered from that belief all these years later.
So, what has that philosophy earned Kelce? Six Pro Bowls. He has also been named a first-team All-Pro five times. There are only two centers in NFL history since 1970 – former Steelers Mike Webster and Dermontii Dawson – who have accomplished as much and both landed in the Hall of Fame.
That is something Kelce thinks about. But he still has a lot left to give to the game he still finds fun.
"Legacies are great, but you can't look at that until you're done," he said. "Pro Bowls are important, but it's much more important how I'm remembered by my teammates and coaches and people that really know. I've been to a lot of Pro Bowls and I've been heralded as a really good offensive lineman, but I honestly don't think I'm the best lineman in my time here at the Eagles … it takes all of us working together and being on the same page with all of those guys, so I really care about the legacy I've left in those guys' minds and how I've treated individuals in the building. That's what will always resonate most with me."
Legacy or not, Kelce has enjoyed his time in Philadelphia. And at the heart, it's the joy he's had playing in the city that made him commit to playing in 2023.
"Philadelphia has been a blessing for me to come here. I think I fit in really well," he said, "not just with the organization and the team, but also with the fan base. I'm very grateful to have been able to play here and insert myself and my family into Philadelphia and fully call myself a Philadelphian here. It's an honor."
