Jason Kelce, former Eagles star share one final sideline moment

After being inactive for the Philadelphia Eagles‘ games in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th weeks of the 2014 NFL season, Jason Kelce suited up and lined up to anchor the offensive line in Week 9 versus the Houston Texans. Philly won by a 31-21 margin on that day, and that began a historic run, the first of 128 consecutive starts.

Some of you have stated the streak sits at 122, but that ignores six postseason starts. The best part about the whole thing is this. That streak is still going on today.

Following a coronavirus scare that forced Kelce and 11 of his teammates to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, some wondered if the streak might see its end, but Philly, despite the decision to rest 19 of their starters in the regular-season finale, elevated Jason to the active roster shortly after noon on Friday. That led to something magical a day later.

Jason Kelce and Jay Ajayi share a moment.

As expected, Jason was on the field for Philadelphia’s first offensive snap before taking the night off. When he got there, Jay Ajayi, Philly’s honorary captain for Week 18 was there to meet him with an embrace.

Ajayi recently announced his retirement from the NFL. Take a look at this one:

Calling Ajayi an Eagles legend might be a stretch, but calling his time with the Birds one of the more memorable legends in recent team lore is an accurate statement, right?

Maybe ‘legend’ doesn’t always encapsulate long tenures, franchise records, or being with the organization long enough to state that statistically, that player is in the top five of one of those benchmarks that we reference in the team’s record books.

Jim McMahon, Jeff Garcia, Corey Clement (who visited Lincoln Financial Field as a member of the Cowboys in Week 18), and LeGarrette Blount weren’t in Philly long, but they left an undeniable mark. Jay Ajayi is in that conversation as well.

You can’t tell the story of the 2017 Eagles without bringing him up, so in that sense, he is a legend. Still, whether you agree with that sentiment or not, seeing him share this moment with Jason Kelce has to put a smile on your face.

Throw this one in the category of some nice stories that came out of the regular season finale along with the Birds breaking two single-season records as our staff at Inside The Iggles promised you they would.