Jason Kelce has decided to put an end to claims that he could come out of retirement and return to the NFL for good, and there’s a very simple reason holding him back.
Kelce cried when he announced he was quitting football earlier this year, but has so far remained a regular at the Eagles’ facility in Philadelphia, prompting suggestions he could return to the game he loves.
But the 36-year-old has revealed that’s not possible due to the amount of weight he’s already lost, even if he ever had a major change of heart.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Kelce said he’s already lost 20 pounds since his last game with the Eagles in January and overall wants to get from 295 pounds to 260.
“I’m not going to get called back up to play center at 260 pounds, and I’m going to move on to the next thing,” Kelce said, before giving his support to his replacement in Philadelphia, Cam Jurgens.
Jason Kelce has insisted he is done with football after retiring earlier this year.
Kelce, pictured with wife Kylie, says his weight loss means he won’t be able to return to the NFL
“I’m excited to watch Cam. I really think Cam is going to be tremendous this year. He’s really going to show people how great of a player he is. He was good for us last year at right guard and he’s going to shine at center.
“And for me personally, my playing days are over and I don’t foresee any scenario that could happen other than maybe medicine will come up with a way to get rid of my arthritis and I’ll consider doing it again.”
But while Kelce’s 13 years in the NFL are over, he’s embarking on a new career in television with ESPN and its coverage of Monday Night Football.
The first of those will see Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets head to California to face the San Francisco 49ers, who lost last year’s Super Bowl to Kelce’s brother Travis and the Kansas City Chiefs.
In Week 2, Kelce will call a game for the Eagles as they host the Atlanta Falcons.
But Week 5 is one of the highlights, as Jason heads to Kansas City to call his brother into action against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium.
As Kelce prepares for his new role, he’s been such a regular visitor to the Eagles’ facility to use their gym that his former teammates jokingly tease him for hanging around there.
“He doesn’t want to come home,” Landon Dickerson told CBS of Kelce. “I’m kidding. He’s great to have around.”
“It’s obvious that everyone loves him in this building. He’s always welcome here with Kylie (his wife Kylie Kelce) and their kids.
In his new role at ESPN, Jason will be in charge of calling the games in which his younger brother Travis will be playing.
“Having him around as a resource to ask questions to, being a guy who’s done it for so long at those levels successfully, is always a great resource because I think he’s the best to ever do that.”
Kelce isn’t the only NFL hero embarking on a new TV career this season: Tom Brady is, too, with FOX.
But even though Brady once backed off his decision to retire, it appears television is as far as the Kelce similarities will go this year.