How the Kansas City Chiefs Honored Jason Kelce After Tearful Retirement Speech

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Jason Kelce winks after the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)

Jason Kelce may have only ever played for the Philadephia Eagles in his illustrious, 13-season NFL career, but they're not the only team mourning his retirement.

Brother Travis Kelce, who has played as a tight end on the Kansas City Chiefs for the last 11 seasons, wrapped the former center into the fold throughout his own impressive career (so far), leading the Super Bowl LVIII winners to celebrate Jason after he officially announced he would not be returning to the field this September.

"You never played for us, but you're still family," the team wrote on Twitter on the evening of March 4, sharing a photo of the brothers, in uniform, joyfully embracing one another. "The game is going to miss you @JasonKelce. Congratulations on a legendary career!"

Plenty of fans were touched by the "respect" shown by his rivals, with one writing, "I love this. Jason deserves all the respect in the world."

"Yeti! Honorary mascot?" someone else suggested in response.

Fans have been anticipating this confirmation for quite some time, with the center beginning to publicly contemplate his retirement in his documentary, Kelce, and the NFL inadvertently confirming the decision after Jason's final game in January—news the center pushed back on at first.

At the time, fans—including Pennsylvania rep Malcolm Kenyatta—had emotional reactions to his retirement, with plenty beginning campaigns for the star footballer to be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"Hall him immediately," one demanded, while another was certain that he had "HOF incoming."

Thus far, Jason is one of two of 23 offensive linemen that have made 1st Team All Pro at least five times (he made it six times, total) and the Pro Bowl at least seven times. 21 of those players were inducted into the Hall of Fame, while the other, Jim Tyrer, will never make the cut after killing his wife and himself in 1980, so fans are impatiently waiting for Jason's time to come.

Next: Jason Kelce Pays Tribute to 'Bond' With Brother Travis During Emotional Retirement Speech