Jason Kelce

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Jason Kelce
refer to caption
Kelce with the Eagles in 2022
No. 62
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1987-11-05) November 5, 1987 (age 36)
Cleveland Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Cleveland Heights
College:Cincinnati (2006–2010)
NFL draft:2011 / Round: 6 / Pick: 191
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:193
Games started:193
Fumble recoveries:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jason Daniel Kelce (/ˈkɛlsi/ ⓘ KEL-see;[1] born November 5, 1987) is an American former football center who played his entire 13-year career for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats and was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft. Kelce won Super Bowl LII, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and six-time first-team All-Pro selection. Kelce is often regarded as one of the greatest centers in NFL history.[2][3]

Outside of football, Kelce and his brother, Travis, co-host the podcast New Heights, on which they discuss their playing careers and various other topics.

Early life

Kelce was born and grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the son of Ed Kelce, a sales rep in the steel business, and Donna, who works in banking. He is the older brother of Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He attended Cleveland Heights High School, where he played both running back and linebacker and was twice named All-Lake Erie League.[4] At Cleveland Heights, he played baritone saxophone in the symphonic and jazz bands.[5] Kelce also played hockey and lacrosse in high school.[6] [7]

College career

A former walk-on running back, Kelce switched to fullback and then finally to offensive line after redshirting his initial year at the University of Cincinnati (UC),[8] seeing action at center and guard in nine games in 2007 as the Bearcats went 10–3 and defeated Southern Mississippi 31–21 in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.[9][10]

As a sophomore in 2008, he made 13 starts at left guard, as part of an offensive line that also included future NFL linemen

Jeff Linkenbach and Trevor Canfield, which helped the UC offense average 27.3 points and 375.3 yards of total offense per game. The Bearcats went 11–3 overall, were Big East Conference champions, and played in the FedEx Orange Bowl, where the Bearcats fell to Virginia Tech 20–7.[11][12] In 2008, his brother, Travis, began playing alongside him at Cincinnati.[13]

In 2009, Kelce earned second-team All-Big East honors after starting 13 games at left guard as the Bearcats went undefeated in the regular season (12–0) and were again Big East Champions, once again earning a BCS Bowl berth, losing to Florida 51–24 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.[14][15]

He was moved to center for his senior season in 2010 as the Bearcats went 4–8 under new coach Butch Jones.[16][17] He started the final 38 games of his 47-game Bearcats career, 26 at left guard and 12 at center.[4] He was named Honorable Mention All-America and second-team All-Big East.

Professional career

Despite lacking true NFL size, Kelce was projected a fourth round pick.[18] He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time of all offensive linemen at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, with a 4.89-second time.[19] On March 11, 2011, Kelce had an appendectomy after he was diagnosed with appendicitis.[20]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
20-yard shuttle
 Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m) 		280 lb
(127 kg) 		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.89 s 1.70 s 2.83 s 4.14 s 7.22 s 30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 2 in
(2.79 m)
All values from 2011 NFL Scouting Combine[21]
Kelce with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013
Washington Redskins
.

Kelce was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2011 NFL draft.[22] Kelce was unable to practice or sign a contract until the NFL lockout was lifted on July 25, 2011. He signed a four-year contract on July 27.[23] New offensive line coach Howard Mudd envisioned Kelce as in the mold of Indianapolis Colts five-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, whom Mudd coached in Indianapolis for 11 seasons.[24] First-round pick and fellow rookie Danny Watkins compared Kelce to a hedgehog due to his spiky hair and facial hair, in addition to his quickness and stoutness.[25] Kelce battled incumbent starter Jamaal Jackson for the center job early in training camp in August.[26] Kelce received all of the first-team reps in the week before the team's third preseason game.[27] He started in the third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, and allowed a sack and was penalized for holding.[28] Kelce was named the starter for the season on August 29.[29] He became the first rookie in Eagles history to start all 16 games at center.[30]

In 2012, Kelce was named the starting center for the second consecutive year. On September 16, he suffered a partially torn MCL and a torn ACL in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Kelce would miss the rest of the 2012 season.[31]

In the 2013 season, Kelce started all 16 games. The Eagles reached the playoffs, and set team season records of 442 points and 6,676 yards. He led the way for the NFL's leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 1,607 yards. Kelce was graded by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as the best center in the NFL for the season.[32] He was also honored with the Ed Block Courage Award.[30]

On February 27, 2014, Kelce agreed to a six-year, $37.5 million contract extension, with $13 million guaranteed, according to agent Jason Bernstein.[33] On September 23, Kelce underwent surgery for a sports hernia and missed four games.[4] Despite missing time, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.[34]

In 2015, Kelce started in all 16 games. He was graded by PFF as the 7th-ranked center in the NFL.[35]

In 2016, Kelce started in all 16 games and was selected to his second Pro Bowl.[36][37]

In 2017, Kelce started in all 16 games and had his best season as a pro. He was selected as a First-team All-Pro and was the highest rated offensive lineman by PFF. He also won Run Blocker of the Year by PFF.[38] He won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles, defeating the New England Patriots 41–33.[39]

During the Eagles' Super Bowl parade on February 8, 2018, Kelce garnered national attention after giving an impassioned speech where he defended his teammates, coaches, and front office and compared Eagles fans to hungry dogs who "for 52 years have been starved of this championship,"[40] while dressed as a mummer.

Kelce, dressed as a mummer, gives a speech at the Eagles' Super Bowl LII victory parade

In 2018, Kelce was given his second First-team All-Pro honor.

On March 2, 2019, Kelce signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles through the 2021 season.[41] During the 2019 season, Kelce was elected to his third Pro Bowl and received his third straight First-team All-Pro Honor.

In 2020, Kelce started his 100th straight game with the Eagles. The offensive line saw a franchise-record 14 different starting combinations, but Kelce was the lone man to start every game. He was elected to his 4th Pro Bowl, and was one of the eight finalists for the Art Rooney Award in 2020.[42]

On March 5, 2021, Kelce signed a new deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.[47] He was also named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the fourth time in his career.[48] He was ranked 71st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[49]

On March 11, 2022, after mulling retirement before the 2022 offseason, Kelce signed a new one-year deal with the Eagles worth $14 million, which made him the highest paid center in the NFL.[50] Kelce earned Pro Bowl and first team All-Pro honors for the 2022 season.[51][52]

Kelce and the Eagles appeared in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce's brother, Travis, played for the Chiefs, making it the first Super Bowl to feature two brothers on opposing teams as players.[53] The Eagles would lose the game 38–35.[54]

Kelce on the sideline with Eagles teammates, 2023

After considering retirement, Kelce re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract on March 15, 2023.[55] In Week 6, Kelce broke the Eagles record for most consecutive starts that was previously held by Jon Runyan.

Kelce announced his retirement on March 4, 2024.[56]

Awards and honors

NFL

College

  • 2× Second-team All-Big East (2009, 2010)

Other ventures

Along with then-teammate

Charlie Kelly's blood-loss hallucination.[57] On March 4, 2023, Jason appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) when Travis was that episode's host, and appeared as both an audience member with his parents and in a sketch with his brother and SNL cast members Heidi Gardner and Chloe Fineman.[58][59]

In September 2022, Kelce and his brother, Travis, launched a weekly podcast called New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce. In the podcast, they discuss the NFL as well as each other's games. The show also features occasional guest stars.[60][61]

During the 2022 NFL season, Philadelphia-based studio 9.14 Pictures filmed and produced a feature-length documentary examining Kelce's football career and private life. Titled Kelce, the documentary was released on Amazon Prime Video on September 11, 2023.[62] Within 24 hours of its release, Kelce became the No. 1 most watched movie on Prime Video in the United States.[63] On November 9, 2023, Kelce joined Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit in the commentary booth during the live broadcast of the Week 10 NFL game between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football, broadcast on Prime Video.[64]

Along with Eagles teammates

Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas, which was released in December 2022.[65] A sequel, A Philly Special Christmas Special, was released in December 2023.[66]

On April 6, 2024, Kelce and former Eagles teammate Lane Johnson (wearing

Luchador masks) participated in WrestleMania XL, helping Rey Mysterio and Andrade win their match. The event was held in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.[67]

Personal life

Kelce is the elder son of Ed and Donna Kelce and brother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.[68] Ed Kelce was a sales representative in the steel business. Donna Kelce has a master's degree, and has worked in banking at Mastercard, and then with banks building housing for the less fortunate using low-income tax credits.[7] Donna Kelce is known for attending both of her sons' games and is often seen wearing a two-sided jersey featuring both of their numbers. She traveled from Tampa to Kansas City to attend both of her sons' Wild Card round games on January 16, 2022.[69]

Kelce met his wife, Kylie McDevitt, on a dating app.[70] They were married on April 14, 2018. They have three daughters, born October 2019, March 2021, and February 2023. Kylie was 38 weeks pregnant with their third child at the time of Super Bowl LVII.[71][72][73][74] In 2023, Kelce was a finalist in People's "Sexiest Man Alive" list.[75]

During the 2021 offseason, Travis Kelce said their immediate family pronounces their last name /ˈkɛlsi/ KEL-see because that is the way their father pronounces it, although the rest of the paternal side of the family pronounces it /kɛls/ KELSS.[76] Jason elaborated that their father "at some point ... got tired of correcting everyone calling him 'Kell-see.' ... And now I think we're both at the point where we're riding with Ed 'Kell-see.'"[77]

References

  1. ^ Zangaro, Dave (July 16, 2021). "Jason Kelce helps solve recent mystery about pronunciation of last name". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Who are the 20 best NFL centers of all time? A ranked list". sportsbrief.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "The Eagles all-time team: Is Jason Kelce the greatest center in team history?". NBC Sports Philadelphia. July 12, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Gowton, Brandon Lee (September 23, 2014). "Kelce expected to return in 6 to 8 weeks". Bleeding Green Nation. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Fitzpatrick, Frank (January 31, 2018). "Road trip: Eagles Jason Kelce played everything from hockey to the sax". Inquirer.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "An Interesting Day In The Kelce Household". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. September 17, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Mom and Dad on the Kelce Bowl, Raising NFL Sons and Kelce Family Secrets". youtube.com. February 6, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  8. ^ "Jason Kelce - Football". University of Cincinnati Athletics. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "2007 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "PapaJohns.com Bowl - Southern Mississippi vs Cincinnati Box Score, December 22, 2007". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "2008 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "Orange Bowl - Virginia Tech vs Cincinnati Box Score, January 1, 2009". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Kilgore, Adam (February 9, 2023). "The Kelce brothers' road to Super Bowl LVII began at Cincinnati". Washington Post. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "2009 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "Sugar Bowl - Florida vs Cincinnati Box Score, January 1, 2010". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "2010 Cincinnati Bearcats Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Heltman, Russ (February 7, 2023). "Jason Kelce Thankful For UC Experience, Recalls Position Change That Sparked NFL Career". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Fappiano, Dan (March 8, 2023). "Howie Roseman Reveals Why Eagles Drafted Jason Kelce". ClutchPoints. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Quattro, Jackie (February 24, 2023). "NFL Combine: Quez Watkins and other current Eagles 40-yard dash times". Inside the Iggles. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  20. ^ Wilson, Aaron (March 11, 2011). "Jason Kelce has successful appendectomy". nationalfootballpost.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  21. ^ "Jason Kelce, DS #5 C, Cincinnati". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  22. ^ Fierro, Nick (April 30, 2011). "Eagles go after LB, K in fourth round". The Morning Call. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  23. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles have reached agreements with all 2011 draft picks except No. 1 Danny Watkins". lehighvalleylive.com. Associated Press. July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  24. ^ Rohan, Tim (August 5, 2011). "Eagles rookie Kelce fits Mudd's prototype". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  25. ^ Bowen, Les (August 8, 2011). "Eagles rookie center Kelce rising to starting status". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  26. ^ McLane, Jeff and Jonathan Tamari (August 7, 2011). "Harris may be solidifying role as Eagles right tackle". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  27. CSN Philly. Archived from the original
    on January 20, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  28. ^ Tamari, Jonathan (August 25, 2011). "Eagles rookies Kelce, Watkins get off to rough start against Browns". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  29. ^ Frank, Reuben (August 29, 2011). "Eagles name rookie Kelce starting center". CSN Philly. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  30. ^ a b http://media.philadelphiaeagles.com/media/149931/kelce-jason.pdf[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ Eaglerarian Blog (September 18, 2012). "Kelcie's Season Over; ACL Reconstruction". Philly.com. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  32. ^ "2013 PFF All-Pro Team – NFL Analysis – Pro Football Focus". profootballfocus.com. January 6, 2014.
  33. ^ "Eagles' Riley Cooper, Jason Kelce strike new contracts". NFL.com.
  34. ^ "2015 Pro Bowl Roster: LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles among five Eagles players heading to Arizona". BleedingGreenNation.com. December 23, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  35. ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (February 4, 2016). "Eagles Position Review: Jason Kelce played through injury". Bleeding Green Nation.
  36. ^ "Jason Kelce 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  37. ^ NJ.com, Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for (January 23, 2017). "Darren Sproles, Jason Kelce added to 2017 Pro Bowl". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ Renner, Michael (January 26, 2018). "Philadelphia's Jason Kelce is a road grader and PFF's best run-blocker | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics". PFF.
  39. ^ "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  40. ^ Tornoe, Rob (February 8, 2018). "In epic speech, Eagles' Jason Kelce calls out 'clown' who criticized Doug Pederson". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  41. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (March 2, 2019). "Eagles, Jason Kelce agree to terms on 1-year extension". NFL.com.
  42. ^ "Eight finalists announced for 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award". NFL.com.
  43. ^ Patra, Kevin (March 5, 2021). "Jason Kelce, Eagles agree to new 2021 deal worth up to $12M". NFL.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  44. ^ Spadaro, Dave (March 5, 2021). "Jason Kelce makes it official: He's back for 2021". philadelphiaeagles.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  45. ^ Oddo, Jillian (January 3, 2022). "Eagles place 12 players on Reserve/COVID-19 list". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  46. ^ Bowman, Paul (January 7, 2022). "Eagles Clear Kelce From COVID List". SportsTalkPhilly.com.
  47. ^ Bowman, Paul (December 22, 2021). "Kelce, Slay Named To Pro Bowl". SportsTalkPhilly.com.
  48. ^ Lipinski, Michael (January 14, 2022). "Kelce, Johnson Named to AP All-Pro Teams". SportsTalkPhilly.com.
  49. ^ "2022 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  50. ^ McManus, Tim (March 11, 2022). "Philadelphia Eagles make Jason Kelce highest-paid center in NFL". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  51. ^ "2022 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  52. ^ "2022 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  53. ^ McEvoy, Colin (February 9, 2023). "The Ultimate Sibling Rivalry: 8 Sets of Brothers Who Faced Off in Sports Championships". Biography. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  54. ^ "Super Bowl LVII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 12th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  55. ^ Spadaro, Dave (March 15, 2023). "Jason Kelce: 'Philadelphia has been a blessing for me'". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  56. ^ Spadaro, Dave (March 4, 2024). "Jason Kelce announces his retirement". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  57. ^ Vadala, Nick (October 24, 2018). "Here's how the 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' crew celebrated the Eagles' Super Bowl victory (Part I)". Inquirer.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  58. ^ Tinoco, Armando (March 5, 2023). "Travis Kelce Recalls Canceled E! Show 'Catching Kelce' In 'SNL' Monologue: "It Was A Little Embarrassing"". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  59. ^ Rice, Lynette (March 5, 2023). "'SNL': Travis Kelce's Brother Jason Appears In Bar Skit with Heidi Gardner". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  60. ^ "New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce". Apple Podcasts. Apple. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  61. ^ Easton Jr., Ed (September 8, 2022). "Chiefs' Travis Kelce, Eagles' Jason Kelce launch new weekly podcast". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  62. ^ "Jason Kelce's documentary releases tonight: How to watch Eagles star's new film". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 11, 2023.
  63. ^ "'Fat Batman has surpassed the actual Batman': Jason Kelce doc hits No. 1 on Prime Video". The Philadelphia Inquirer. September 13, 2023.
  64. ^ "Eagles' Jason Kelce to appear on Amazon's Thursday Night Football". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  65. ^ DeLuca, Dan (October 19, 2022). "Fly, Santa, Fly! Eagles Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson to release 'A Philly Special Christmas' album". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  66. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 11, 2023). "Philadelphia Eagles' 'A Philly Special Christmas Special' Charity Album Scores Big on Billboard Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  67. ^ MacAuley, Jessica (April 6, 2024). "Legendary luchadors Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson make WrestleMania 40 debut". CBS News. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  68. ^ Bowen, Les (August 29, 2016). "Reality is relative: Jason Kelce on screen in brother's new dating show". Philly.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  69. ^ Treacy, Dan (January 31, 2023). "Travis and Jason Kelce family tree: Meet supermom Donna, dad Ed & more to know about NFL stars' Ohio roots". Sporting News. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  70. ^ "The story of Jason and Kylie Kelce's disastrous first Tinder date". New Heights – via www.youtube.com.
  71. ^ Andaloro, Angela (February 1, 2023). "Jason Kelce Says Pregnant Wife Kylie Is Bringing Her OB-GYN as Super Bowl Guest as She's 38 Weeks". People.
  72. ^ Siwak, Miranda (January 29, 2023). "Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Kelce, Wife Kylie McDevitt's Relationship Timeline". US Magazine. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  73. ^ Zangaro, Dave (July 8, 2020). "Most important Eagles for 2020: Jason Kelce is the best center in football". RSN. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  74. ^ Erby, Glenn (June 12, 2019). "Jason Kelce rated as the most balanced center in NFL". Eagles Wire. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  75. ^ Kelly, Tim (November 8, 2019). "Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Kelce Featured in People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' Issue". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  76. ^ Rivera, Joe (July 16, 2021). "Travis Kelce continues to confuse everyone when it comes to his name pronunciation". Sporting News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2021. I say /ˈkɛlsi/ because that's what my father says.
  77. ^ Zangaro, Dave (July 15, 2021). "Jason Kelce helps solve recent mystery about pronunciation of last name". RSN. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jason Kelce.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jason_Kelce&oldid=1217757459"