Jason Kelce: The Reluctant Superstar

Jason Kelce cemented his legacy as one of the greatest centers in NFL history during his 11-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. From 2011 to 2021, Kelce anchored the Eagles’ offensive line and helped lead the team to numerous playoff appearances and their first ever Super Bowl victory in 2018. However, despite achieving superstar status on the football field, Kelce has always maintained a humble, down-to-earth personality that shuns the spotlight in favor of family, humor, and hard work.

When Kelce announced his retirement in January 2022, the Eagles honored him with a heartfelt ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field. But rather than bask in the praise and adulation, Kelce used his retirement speech to express how much he would miss being the underdog. “I’m going to miss the feeling of being counted out,” Kelce told the crowd. “I’m going to miss the feeling of people not thinking we can do something. That’s just who I am.”

Kelce’s preference for the underdog role provides insight into his mentality. Throughout his career, he played with a chip on his shoulder, constantly seeking to prove doubters wrong. Even after achieving team and individual success, Kelce still saw himself that way. The constant attention that comes with superstardom did not appeal to him in the same way. Kelce found satisfaction from hard work and perseverance rather than accolades and fame.

This underdog mentality was fostered from an early age. Growing up in Ohio, Kelce was overlooked by major college programs and ended up walking on at the University of Cincinnati. He worked his way from scout team player to team captain and All-American center. Kelce then slid to the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft due to concerns about his size at just 6’3″. But through relentless preparation, Kelce became a mainstay in Philadelphia while bigger names came and went.

Kelce’s retirement speech also gave insight into what he values most – his family. He fought back tears speaking about his parents, wife, and children in attendance. “I want to thank my family for all of their support. It’s been an amazing ride and I’m so thankful and so blessed,” Kelce said. Throughout Kelce’s career, news articles highlighted moments that demonstrated his commitment to family above all else.

In 2019, Kelce skipped the Eagles’ ring ceremony to attend his brother’s wedding. The same year, he left the Eagles’ bye week trip to attend his daughter’s birth. And after the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory, one of the first things Kelce did was find his wife and kids in the stands to celebrate with them. Even during his playing days, Kelce was not one to chase the Hollywood lifestyle or spend excessive time in the spotlight. He preferred quiet family time at home in Philadelphia.

Kelce also maintains a lighthearted approach to his newfound fame that shows a level of comfort but not obsession. During his retirement speech, Kelce announced an endorsement deal with soap company Dove Men+Care, quipping that they were his “new love.” The silly sponsorship nod demonstrated Kelce’s ability to find humor even in serious moments. He similarly entertained reporters with amusing anecdotes and thoughtful perspective during his media sessions over the years.

This sense of humor allows Kelce to embrace attention on his own nonchalant terms rather than shy away completely. But it also indicates Kelce’s priorities lie elsewhere. He does not take himself too seriously as a celebrity and is content operating mostly under the radar. The humor is a mechanism to deflect praise rather than chase it. Kelce would rather let his play do the talking.

And talk it did, as Kelce established himself as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. But what’s most impressive is that he did it by sheer force of will according to those close to him. At just 6’3″, Kelce had no business becoming a perennial All-Pro in the trenches of the NFL. But through relentless study of the game and taking extreme care of his body, Kelce willed himself to greatness.

Former Eagles coach Doug Pederson recalled being blown away the first time he saw Kelce in the weight room as a rookie. “This guy is an animal,” Pederson thought to himself. Kelce’s work ethic, dedication to his craft, and commitment to constant self-improvement is what fueled his rise and longevity in the league. While others may chase accolades, Kelce found his joy and satisfaction from the grind, from putting in extra time that others were not willing to.

Kelce’s workmanlike mentality shone through even during games. Despite his physical limitations, Kelce played with a controlled fury and violence on every snap. He left it all on the field for 60 minutes, leading destructive blocks and punishing would-be tacklers. Kelce played with a controlled rage borne from years of proving people wrong in the weight room and film room. It was this mindset that allowed an undersized lineman to impose his will against some of the NFL’s biggest and baddest defenders.

After retiring, Kelce said he would miss the feeling of gamedays the most. “There’s nothing like running out of that tunnel and hearing that crowd on gameday,” Kelce reflected. But he maintained it was simply time to close the chapter after 11 seasons of giving his all. Kelce accomplished everything he set out to do on the field and seemed at peace with walking away while still near the top of his game. He was ready for a new challenge.

In the year since his retirement, Kelce has remained relatively out of the spotlight. He can be spotted at Eagles games cheering on his former teammates but does not seek the cameras. Kelce also started a podcast to share his football knowledge but keeps the discussions focused on X’s and O’s rather than his own celebrity. He even rejected overtures from ESPN to join their broadcasting team full-time, preferring family life to a hectic media schedule.

Kelce is content to let his legacy do the talking as one of the greatest underdog stories the NFL has ever seen. He achieved superstardom through perseverance, preparation, and performance rather than hype or ego. While many players get lost chasing fame and fortune, Kelce maintained perspective by prioritizing values like family, humor, and a blue-collar work ethic throughout his career. He succeeded in redefining what’s possible for an undersized lineman and cemented his Hall of Fame credentials. But Kelce did it all without losing sight of who he was – a humble grinder from Ohio who played with a chip on his shoulder. That down-to-earth attitude is part of what makes Jason Kelce’s story so inspirational.