Jason Kelce reveal that NFL 45 minutes Retirement Speech was a “Blunt Mistake”

Early Monday morning, the football star posted on X that an announcement would be imminent, hinting that he would address rumors about whether his time in the league was over.

Speculation arose around Jason’s retirement after he was visibly emotional following a Wild Card round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January that ended the Eagles’ season.

Recognized as one of the greatest centers in NFL history, Jason finishes his time in the City of Brotherly Love with a Super Bowl title, six All-Pro selections and seven stints on the Pro Bowl team.

Read Jason’s full statement below:

JASON: Thanks for coming guys. See how long this lasts. [Pauses to keep from crying] Not a good start. Here we go. This is gonna be long.

There I lay, face up in the cool morning’s dew-covered grass. Waiting for a whistle I knew would come at any second. Knowing full well Anthony Harrell was a couple yards away on the ground waiting for the same.

The foreign objects that rest upon my shoulders and head weighed me down and unbalanced my weighty body. As the whistle blew, I arose, turned all in one motion and ran at my teammate.

It isn’t even the collision I remember most, but the feeling before, of what in the f— is about to happen? How was it going to feel when I win? Whenever I smell the clippings of a freshly mowed grass, I am brought back to this day.

Twelve years old, Roxboro Middle School, first day in pads. I’ve been asked many times why I chose football, why I chose the game and I never have an answer that gets it right.

The best way I can explain it is what draws you to your favorite song, your favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it, the intensify of it. Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt.