By Marisa Laudadio
7:56am PST, Jan 22, 2024
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It's the end of an era.
Hours after the Philadelphia Eagles' 32-9 wild card playoffs loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15, 2024, NFL sources told ESPN that star center Jason Kelce is retiring after 13 seasons in the league, all of them with the Eagles.
Jason — the beloved six-time All-Pro and future Hall of Famer — reportedly shared his bittersweet news with his teammates in the locker room after the game.
As he and his teammates played on and it became clear the Eagles would not win, both Jason and his wife, Kylie Kelce — who was in the stands alongside Jason's father, Ed Kelce — grew increasingly emotional, cameras showed, fueling speculation that this season would be the popular player's last.
However, on the Jan. 17 episode of the "New Heights" podcast he hosts with brother Travis Kelce, Jason did not confirm his retirement. "I don't know what next year's gonna look like," he said, as reported by ETOnline. "I didn't announce what I was doing on purpose, despite I guess what's been leaked to the media." Jason said he was holding back on a final career decision until the Eagles' exit interviews for the season were conducted the same week.
"I just don't think you're in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don't," Jason said. "There's too much emotion in the moment, there's too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. I'm not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out. I'm really not. It's just something that I think, when it's time to officially announce what's happening in the future, it'll be done in a way that's definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I've had. And, you know, I don't think that it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that."
Join us as we take a look at the best pictures of Jason from what could be his last game in the NFL, starting with this shot…
Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter of his NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs head coach Nick Sirianni during the fourth quarter of their NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of his NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up before a play during his NFL wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to his NFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of his NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce #62 sets up to snap the ball during the NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles shares a moment with Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their NFL wild-card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during his game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to his NFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to his NFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to his NFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks with head coach Nick Sirianni during the fourth quarter of their NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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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 in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks emotional following the NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaves the field following the NFL Wild Card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shakes hands with Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles after their NFL wild-card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to his NFC Wild Card Playoffs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after a loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
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Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up before a play during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 15, 2024.
