After announcing his retirement on Monday evening, fan reaction immediately poured in to praise the 36-year-old Jason for everything that he meant to Philadelphia Eagles fans and NFL devotees.
“Congrats on retirement king,” one fan tweeted.
“Thanks for the years, Jason,” a second fan posted.
“Hard to forget when Jason drank a beer with fans,” a third fan said.
A tearful Jason announced his retirement in the most Jason way possible.
He mentioned there wouldn’t be a keg stand — after he became even more famous during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl run by partying with fans in the stands while going shirtless in freezing weather.
“No Keg videos this year, I have come to a decision and will address it at a press conference this afternoon,” Jason tweeted.
NFL fans either love or hate the Eagles.
But when it comes to Jason, there is no in between.
The party-loving, older Kelce brother dominated coverage of the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl, despite the Eagles getting blown out in a Wild Card game early in the postseason.
By the time that Travis and the Chiefs edged the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in an overtime thriller inside Allegiant Stadium, Jason was an internet sensation.
Then he became even bigger on social media by wearing red-and-yellow overalls while playing DJ and partying with a mask on, as Taylor Swift and Travis continued their blossoming romance.
Jason is truly a man of the people and has embraced the spotlight that now follows the Kelce brothers everywhere.
Since entering the league in 2011 as a sixth-round draft pick out of Cincinnati, the seven-time Pro Bowler has become universally loved across the football world and is expected to eventually enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“You know what an underdog is? It’s a hungry dog,” said Jason, in a Super Bowl parade quote that perfectly sums up his career.
The sight of a visibly emotional Jason crying on the sideline after Philadelphia’s painful defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also connected with NFL fans, who saw a highly respected 13-year veteran realising in real time that he might have played his final professional game.
Jason told teammates in the locker room after the season-ending loss that he was retiring, according to ESPN.
But as of March 3, Jason was still an NFL player, while his brother Travis was part of a dynasty with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
“Hall of Famer and I’m sure Jason Kelce would do well on a pregame (TV) show,” one fan tweeted.
While Travis is the super-famous Chiefs tight end who hosts Saturday Night Live and dates an international pop music superstar, older Jason brought a workman-like vibe to the blue-collar Eagles and his worldwide fame.
Jason is down to earth, low key, funny and highly relatable.
He wore flip-flops before NFL games while many players treated locker-room entrances like a Paris fashion show.
He also wore crazy costumes and hilarious masks, embracing Philly culture and the city’s us-against-the-world vibe.
Jason also embraced his role as a father and husband, with the 6ft 3in and 295lb offensive lineman letting the world know how much his family meant to him.
