As the world offers more ways to become distracted, it becomes increasingly difficult to focus on things for very long. For just under an hour, the legend Jason Kelce offered an emotional and heartfelt farewell to the Philadelphia Eagles, those who helped him along the way, and Birds fans all over Planet Earth. Unsurprisingly, it was impossible to turn away.
It was a walk down memory lane of sorts. Stories were told of Malcolm Jenkins firing up an eventual Super Bowl winner after it lost MVP candidate, Carson Wentz. The G.O.A,T. offered his memories on everything from LeSean McCoy's iconic cut and run versus the Detroit Lions in the Snow Bowl to the Philly Special call in Super Bowl LII to the first time he met his wife Kylie.
He's from Cleveland Heights, Ohio and one of the Buckeye State's' favorite sons, but he may as well be a Philadelphian. He'll never have to pay for a meal or a beer in the City of Brotherly Love again.
He's suited up for his final game with the Birds, and that thought isn't lost on the Eagles' social media team or the other professional sports franchises that represent the city where he spent his entire career playing. As you might expect, the news of his decision almost broke social media.
The greatest to ever do it 🐐
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 4, 2024
Congratulations on an incredible NFL career, Jason Kelce. pic.twitter.com/HNRn5etpna
Cheers to one heck of a career. 💚
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 4, 2024
Thank you for everything you've done for Philly, @JasonKelce. Best of luck in retirement! pic.twitter.com/1hRhefvz1d
congratulations on a legendary career @JasonKelce! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/sZ4abQP9KD
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 4, 2024
A true Philadelphian.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 4, 2024
Congrats on your retirement and a Hall of Fame career, @JasonKelce! pic.twitter.com/mfH7nslirA
Talk about emotions... As you might expect, the outpouring of support from fans, coaches, media members, family, and teammates both past and present has been amazing.
Some Eagles fans assembled outside NovaCare to thank Jason Kelce. pic.twitter.com/0uBE7p9iBz
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 4, 2024
Jason Kelce talking about losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl and his relationship with Travis. The amount of respect I have for this man… wow I wasn’t planning on crying this morning but here we are. Congratulations on all of your success, Jason Kelce. pic.twitter.com/DN564LF7iX
— Lexi (@lexiosborne) March 4, 2024
This speech by Jason Kelce on the city of Philadelphia and #Eagles fans should be posted around the NovaCare Complex.
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) March 4, 2024
When Kelce says “the way you love your brother” he looked at Travis and Travis smiled trying to fight back the tears. pic.twitter.com/hmt7nwNCoS
Travis Kelce emotional during Jason Kelce’s retirement press conference.
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 4, 2024
A beautiful moment to see Jason’s family going through this with him. He is looking at them often throughout the speech #Eagles pic.twitter.com/ieIqxDRGt4
Jason Kelce hugging Jeff Stoutland after his retirement speech: pic.twitter.com/5oOgvTPevP
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) March 4, 2024
Everyone loves an underdog story 💚
— New Heights (@newheightshow) March 4, 2024
Congratulations on a legendary career @JasonKelce pic.twitter.com/5czMOgTYpi
Emotional from the heart retirement speech from the great @JasonKelce We didn’t play a long time together, he was a great player and even better person.
— Michael Vick (@MichaelVick) March 4, 2024
His shotgun snaps were insanely fast and hard. #nastyplayer@Eagles @GoBearcatsFB @tkelce @ProFootballHOF @newheightshow pic.twitter.com/H9aLvTYs7k
I honestly don’t think you understand the impact you had on your teammates for the past 13 years.
— Zach Ertz (@ZERTZ_86) March 4, 2024
I wouldn’t be the player I am without you and we would not have had the success without you; and that’s not even talking about your on-field talent.
Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/bSCldHeDxY
The football world reacts to Jason Kelce's retirement 💚🤍@JasonKelce | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/Yw0pXFMTEu
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2024
Congrats to my good friend @JasonKelce on a legendary career. Had the crew over @greenlight but together a highlight tape of some of your best reps from 2023. I think this tape really shows your unique athleticism and how versatile you are as a player! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/X4FOhLVW6U
— Beau Allen (@Beau_Allen) March 4, 2024
How about another round of applause for the Eagles' social media team? They're the best in the biz, and they rocked out with quite the visual to celebrate a true Philly icon. Check that clip out and the full presser below.
To the GOAT. Thank you, thank you, thank you. pic.twitter.com/N4TMP2LbHH
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 4, 2024