Jason Kelce Pays Tribute to 'Bond' With Brother Travis During Emotional Retirement Speech
Jason and Travis Kelce
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's retirement speech was filled with emotions as he talked about his career journey, personal life and everything in between.
His family was a big focus of the speech, especially his younger brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, as he said that their "bond" is what led to his success.
"This is where it's gonna go off the rails," Jason said during the press conference right before he started talking about Travis. "It was really my brother and I our whole lives. We did almost everything together—competed, fought, laughed, cried and learned from each other."
He continued: "There is no chance I'd be here without the bond Travis and I share. It made me stronger, tougher, smarter, and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience and understanding."
.@JasonKelce discusses the special bond and importance of the relationship he shares with his brother, @tkelce ?? pic.twitter.com/ol2NGfPxwj
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 4, 2024
Many were touched by Jason's comments about their childhood growing up and playing sports together, with the football star saying, "We invented games, imagined ourselves as star players of that time...We won countless Super Bowls in our minds before ever leaving the house."
Throughout the press conference, Travis was also visibly emotional as he sat beside his mother, Donna Kelce, in the audience.
Fans of the Eagles and other football teams had kind messages for Jason after his retirement announcement. One X user said, "Watching the entire @JasonKelce press conference was a real tear-jerker, but beautiful all the same. Enjoy your retirement, big guy."
"One of the best to ever do it. The NFL won’t be the same without him," wrote another, as a third praised Jason for being so emotionally open during the speech, saying, "So refreshing to see professional athletes show their emotions like this."
Jason named dropped other family members during the press conference, lovingly talking about his wife Kylie's support and his parents' never-ending encouragement throughout his upbringing.
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