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Emotional press conference: Jason Kelce ended his career on Monday
Photo: Matt Rourke / AP
Jason Kelce, the older brother of Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, officially announced his retirement as a football player at an emotional press conference on Monday.
“Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of our hearts,” Kelce said.
"I'm very proud of knowing where I once was and what legacy I left behind," said the 36-year-old Philadelphia Eagles center through tears at an emotional press conference on Monday.
In addition to his parents and his wife, his brother Travis (34), friend of US music superstar Taylor Swift, also traveled from Asia.
The three-time Super Bowl winner of the Kansas City Chiefs also wiped tears from his eyes before hugging his brother.
Seven times in the Pro Bowl
Jason Kelce has played in the NFL since 2011, when the Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the draft with number 191.
Kelce only played for the Eagles in his career and was one of the key players in the franchise's only Super Bowl win in 2018 against defending champion New England Patriots (41:33).
He was elected to the Pro Bowl of the best players in a season a total of seven times and made it to the Super Bowl with the Eagles last year for the second time in his career.
However, the duel with the Kansas City Chiefs for his brother Travis, who was two years younger and was also fighting back tears while sitting in the front row at the press conference, was lost.
Kelce had to stop his 45-minute speech several times, overwhelmed by his emotions.
"It took a lot of hard work and determination to get here," he said. "I don't know what's next, but I'm looking forward to the new opportunities and opportunities that await me." He'll experience it that he made in Philadelphia to carry with him forever.
»It is difficult to express how much Jason Kelce meant to everyone in this organization, to the city of Philadelphia and to our fans.
“He gave us all everything he had for 13 years and did it in a way that was really authentic,” said Eagles boss Jeffrey Lurie.
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