Eagles legend Jason Kelce offers emotional sendoff to Brandon Brooks

It’s one thing to cheer for someone. It’s something else to go to battle with someone over and over again on a game-in and game-out basis. Jason Kelce lined up to anchor the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line with Brandon Brooks to his right in 64 regular-season games (and another five that were played during the postseason). Think about that for a second.

Together, they’ve served as bodyguards for Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, and Jalen Hurts in the passing game. They’ve cleared lanes for Philly’s running game when either of those guys has taken the snap from Kelce and handed the ball off to everyone from Darren Sproles and LeGarrette Blount to guys like Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Jay Ajayi, Miles Sanders, and Kenneth Gainwell.

It’s truly mesmerizing and a reason to smile if you think about it.

Jason Kelce offers an emotional and heartfelt sendoff to Brandon Brooks.

We talk about going to work and ‘battling in the trenches’ with co-workers from time to time in our own lives and careers at our respective occupations and jobs. Jason Kelce and Brandon Brooks literally did that on a game-in and game-out basis.

They weren’t just teammates or co-workers. They were friends, and on the day following Brooks’ announcement that he was stepping away from the game, Jason Kelce penned an emotional farewell to Brandon that he shared on his Instagram page.  Take a look at this one.

"In my 6 years of being his teammate, there was not a better guard in this league when he was healthy. It is no secret I enjoyed my most successful years as an Eagle both individually and collectively with him by my side, and that is a testament to the teammate and player he was for our team. The bottom line is he made others better, he made our team better, he made me better from the moment he got here. His intelligence, attitude, work ethic, and talent combined to make one of the most impressive players, teammates, and human beings I’ve ever been around. He was, is, and will always be irreplaceable.I can’t wait to watch you attack and succeed in your next journey, Love you B!"

In those five seasons that these two shared on an NFL playing field and the six seasons in total that they were in Philadelphia together (Brandon Brooks missed the entire 2020 season due to injury), Brooks earned three Pro Bowl nods (2017-2019). Jason Kelce was named as a member of the NFL’s all-star team in 2016 and in after every season from 2019 to 2021.

Kelce also earned a nod in 2014, before Brandon’s arrival in Philadelphia, and has been named a First-team All-Pro four times (2017–2019, 2021). They were both a member of the 2017-2018 squad that saw its offensive line take home the Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year Award on the eve of Super Bowl LII, one in which they defeated what might be the greatest dynasty in the history of sports.

Kelce and Brooks’ legacies are tied to one another forever. They’re companion pieces in history and great friends both on and off the field. One day, we expect they’ll also be in the team’s Hall of Fame. We see no reason why it wouldn’t happen.