Retiring FILE PHOTO: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles plays during the NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 15, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. The Eagles' center announced his retirement on Monday. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce on Monday announced he’s retiring from the NFL after 13 years with the Eagles.
His announcement came in an emotional news conference.
“I am retiring,” he said before getting choked up. “... I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, and today I must admit, I am officially overrated. Vastly overrated. But (expletive) it took a lot of hard work and determination getting here.”
Rumors first swirled earlier this year that Kelce was considering exiting the league. At the time, he said he would announce any decision about his professional football career “in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me.”
“It has always been a goal of mine to play my whole career in one city,” he said. “I couldn’t have dreamt a better one if I tried.”
Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles’ chairman and CEO, said after the announcement that Kelce “would have been successful anywhere,” adding, “But has there ever been a more perfect marriage between a player, a city, and a team?” He praised the 36-year-old for his “grit and determination,” his “intelligence and versatility,” his “passion and intensity” and “the genuine love and care he should his coaches, teammates, and staff.”
“He gave everything he had to all of us for 13 years, and he did it in a way that was truly authentic,” Lurie said.
Kelce joined the Eagles after being picked in the sixth round of the 2011 draft, ESPN reported. He cemented his status as a Philadelphia sports legend with a lively, profanity-filled speech after the Eagles won Super Bowl LII in February 2018, according to The Washington Post.
He will leave the team after 193 games, seven Pro Bowls, six first-team All-Pro nods and two Super Bowls, USA Today reported.
It was not immediately clear what Kelce might do following his NFL career. In addition to football, Jason Kelce and his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, host the popular “New Heights” podcast.
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - CIRCA 2011: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles poses for his NFL headshot circa 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 26: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles signs an autograph for a young fan prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) (Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 07: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during warm ups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field on December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images) (Evan Habeeb/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles recovers his own fumble as he is tackled by tight end Blake Jarwin #89 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks out on to the field prior to the NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Through the years MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 08: Center Jason Kelce speaks at a ceremony honoring the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win on February 8, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the bench in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Titans defeated the Eagles 27-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts while walking off the field after their game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Through the years EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 29: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his teams win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) (Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 28: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during training camp at the NovaCare Complex on July 28, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 19: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks to the locker room after the first half of the preseason game against the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lincoln Financial Field on October 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 21: Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce pumps drinks a beer during game three of the National League Championship Series between the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 21: Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce reacts with the Phillie Phanatic during game three of the National League Championship Series between the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 21, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 06: Mother Donna Kelce (C) gives cookies to her son's Jason Kelce (L) #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce (R) #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch at Footprint Center on February 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Through the years PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Brothers Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs wave onstage during Super Bowl LVII Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch at Footprint Center on February 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 30: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on while sporting mask in the fourth quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 30, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles rings the bell prior to game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce attend Thursday Night Football Presents The World Premiere of "Kelce" on September 08, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video) (Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Donna Kelce and Jason Kelce attend Thursday Night Football Presents The World Premiere of "Kelce" on September 08, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video) (Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video)
Through the years EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 15: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks on the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Through the years PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 16: Travis and Jason Kelce attend Game One of the Championship Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 16, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Through the years LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 29: Center Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 29, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Through the years KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 20: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to brother Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after their game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Through the years EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 07: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the second half in the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 07, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Through the years TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Ryan Jensen #66 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks with Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles after the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)