The Chiefs paid tribute to Jason Kelce on Monday night, after the older brother of Kansas City tight end Travis announced his retirement at an emotional press conference in Philadelphia. Jason, 36, wept throughout his 40-minute announcement and had younger brother Travis sat in the audience as he brought his career to a close.
Jason and Travis, 34, hold an extremely close bond – Travis wears No 87 for the Chiefs because it was the year his brother was born. Andy Reid, the Chiefs head coach, also coached the older Kelce brother at Philadelphia Eagles – where Jason spent the entirety of his 13-year career.
The Super Bowl winners posted a picture of Jason and Travis on X on Monday night with the caption: ‘You never played for us, but you’re still family. The game is going to miss you Jason Kelce.
You never played for us, but you’re still family. The game is going to miss you @JasonKelce ❤️
Congratulations on a legendary career! pic.twitter.com/xqfnLc96iI
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 5, 2024
‘Congratulations on a legendary career.’ Jason’s most notable game against the Chiefs and brother Travis was last year’s Super Bowl, where the Eagles lost 38-35. Their mom, Donna, wore a 50-50 jersey in red and green to split her support for her two season.
A year later, Jason was in the stands cheering Travis and the Chiefs to victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas in February. His status in the game had been uncertain since the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs but Travis had hinted he thought his brother should play on.
But after much uncertainty, Kelce brought the curtain down on his career on Monday. ‘I have been the underdog my entire career,’ Kelce said. ‘And I mean it when I say it, I wish I still was.’ ‘It´s only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the city of brotherly love, I knew that relationship all too well.’
