Behind the scenes of Jason Kelce's emotional speech to Eagles staff

08 March 2024 , 03:00

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Jason Kelce addressed staffers with an emotional message. (Image: @Eagles)

After Jason Kelce, the much-loved Philadelphia Eagles player, retired from American football this week, he gave a touching speech at the Eagles' training centre.

It's rare for an entire NFL staff to come and watch someone retire on a TV screen. But Kelce is special to them, so staffers watched his conversation with reporters.

Before he spoke to the media, Joe O'Pella, the trainer, taped up Jason's ankles one last time. O'Pella has done this for Kelce since he joined the team in 2011. O'Pella couldn't be there for Kelce's last game because he was getting treatment for cancer. So, Jason asked Joe to tape his ankles as a goodbye.

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Kelce cares a lot about the people he works with, and he gave a big thank you to staffers behind the scenes before he left in an emotional moment after his press conference. "I don't know that I have many speeches left in me today but, thank you so much for everything and what everyone in here does. What it means to this organization and to the players," he said, trying not to cry.

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"You guys are incredible, I can't thank you enough. It's been an honor to work here with all of you. Thank you."

Kelce talked for more than 45 minutes at the press conference, and it was hard for him because he felt very emotional. His retirement speech was one of the best ever, according to his wife Kylie, who revealed that she'd been hearing different versions of it since 2020. She said none were like the one he gave on Monday.

Kelce has announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons (Getty Images)

"I've heard multiple versions over the last four years," Kylie shared with NBC 10. "This was a completely different version.

"I think every year he sort of started from scratch as to what was sitting on the surface. But when he said that he was contemplating retirement 'for years,' he meant 'for years.'"

Before Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL to the world on Monday, Kylie had already heard the final version of his speech. "I think I was the only one that had heard his speech before we went into it," Kylie added. "I think it was a perfect summary of 13 years. I always say he's not from (Philadelphia) but he gets it, so that was the perfect example."

Kelce has been an Eagle since he was drafted 13 seasons ago and quickly became one of the league's top centres.

Joseph McBride