Jason Kelce on why he retired — and touching reason he was taped up for ceremony

There was one thing different about the early stages of this offseason that made Jason Kelce realize that it was time to retire.

In the most recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast, the former Philadelphia Eagles star said that he didn’t go through his usual routine of asking other former NFL players when they knew it was time to step away from the game. Kelce sensed his time had come, largely due to lingering injuries. 

“The physical portion is at a point that it’s not a desire to continue to do,” he explained. “The reality was, it was more firm than it’s ever been this year that I just don’t think physically, I can compete at the level I want to anymore, and really compete the way I want to. My elbow, a little of my knees, it’s just gotten to the point where the deterioration and the recovery from that deterioration hasn’t really manifested on game day yet, but I know it’s going to start doing that. I’m hard on myself, and if I go out there and I’m not the player I want to be, it will crush me. 

“I feel very confident in the decision that I made. I know that it’s time. I had a really good run.”

Still, Kelce admitted that the timing of his decision to leave the game wasn’t ideal. After losing in the Super Bowl last February, the Eagles looked prime to make another Super Bowl run this past season, starting 10-1 before losing five of their final six games and losing in the first round of the playoffs. 

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce announces retirement from NFL – Dave Helman reacts

Kelce said he was “upset” and “disappointed” that his final season happened to be when the Eagles likely had “the biggest collapse in the history of the organization.” 

“I truly think the Eagles are going to ball out next year. There’s still a tremendous amount of talent there,” Kelce said. “They hired two really good coaches that are going to be able to offer a new perspective and look at things with a fresh lens. I think Jalen Hurts is a tremendous quarterback. I…

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Publish date : 2024-03-06 17:14:45

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