Jason Kelce gets emotional while discussing philanthropy, Lane Johnson

Twenty years after Jason Kelce finally hangs up the cleats, it’s doubtful that he won’t still be one of the most beloved Philadelphia Eagles of all time. Regardless of what his plans are when his playing days are over, if they include a beer, he won’t have to pay for it, that is if he’s having said beer in the City of Brotherly Love.

For 11 years, he’s been the anchor of Philadelphia’s offensive line. He’s also shared the field with other unforgettable Birds who have long played along the offensive front. They were truly a group of characters that had character, guys like Brandon Brooks.

Two of those guys, like Kelce, will eventually end up in the Eagles Hall of Fame. They also have arguments for enshrinement in Canton. You know them well, Jason Peters and Lane Johnson. Recently, during a sitdown with members of the Philly media, Kelce got choked up while discussing the latter.

This Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination means the world to Jason Kelce.

On the Wednesday leading up to the Eagles’ Week 15 game versus the Washington Football Team, several players met with select members of the press. Jason Kelce, as he often is, was one of them.

While discussing his nomination for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, he mentioned teammates, both past and present, that have inspired him with their philanthropy, guys like Todd Herremans, Connor Barwin, DeVonta Smith, and Rodney McLeod. When it came to Johnson, who missed Week 4 to Week 6 due to what was then described as a personal matter (we later found out that he had a battle with depression and anxiety), the Eagles legend couldn’t help but tear up.

Here’s some of what was said. The clip is included as well and follows the text.

"Lane Johnson, in what he’s openly come back from this year… And to think (paused) about the amount of people that he’s (paused) … the amount of people that he’s given hope to… That’s uh, that’s the business we’re in. We’re in the business of hope… You know, what we do every game inspires millions of people. What we do off of the field, hopefully, inspires people, and I’m proud to be one guy among thousands of men who do that."

It’s impossible not to like this guy. It’s men like him and Lane and Brandon (who’s also dealt with anxiety) that make it easy to cheer for this team both on the field and off of it.