Introduction
Jason Kelce is a former Philadelphia Eagles center whose 13-year NFL career made him one of the most accomplished and recognizable offensive linemen of his generation. A sixth-round pick from the University of Cincinnati, he became a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time first-team All-Pro, and Super Bowl LII champion before retiring in March 2024. Today, he remains active in sports media through ESPN and the New Heights podcast with his brother, Travis Kelce.
Jason Kelce at a Glance
| Career detail | Information |
| Position | Center |
| NFL team | Philadelphia Eagles |
| NFL career | 2011–2023 |
| Draft | Sixth round, No. 191 overall |
| Super Bowl titles | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 7 |
| First-team All-Pro selections | 6 |
| College | University of Cincinnati |
| Retirement | March 4, 2024 |
Who Is Jason Kelce?
Jason Daniel Kelce was born on November 5, 1987, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He played center for the Philadelphia Eagles throughout his entire 13-season NFL career after the team selected him 191st overall in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
His professional résumé includes one Super Bowl championship, seven Pro Bowl selections, and six first-team All-Pro honors. The Eagles also credit him with 156 consecutive regular-season starts, reflecting the durability and consistency that became central to his reputation.
Why He Became a Prominent NFL Figure
Kelce’s importance went beyond statistics. He entered the league as an undersized offensive lineman but developed into an elite center through quickness, technique, football intelligence, toughness, and leadership.
His connection with Philadelphia also became a major part of his public identity. His energetic personality, community involvement, and close relationship with Eagles fans helped make him one of the franchise’s most recognizable modern players. The Eagles described his career as one that left a lasting mark both on and off the field.
Early Life and College Football
Childhood and Family Background
Kelce grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and attended Cleveland Heights High School. He played multiple sports and competed in football as a linebacker and running back before his playing career moved toward the offensive line.
He is the older brother of Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. The brothers later became nationally known not only for their NFL careers but also for co-hosting New Heights, where they discuss football and other aspects of their lives.
College Football Career at Cincinnati
Kelce joined the University of Cincinnati as a walk-on in 2006. His path was unconventional: he initially played linebacker before moving to the offensive side of the ball and developing into an offensive lineman.
At Cincinnati, he played both guard and center and became a three-year starter. He earned All-BIG EAST recognition twice and helped the Bearcats reach the 2008 Orange Bowl and 2009 Sugar Bowl. In August 2026, Cincinnati selected Kelce for its 50th Anniversary Athletics Hall of Fame class, with the induction scheduled for October 23, 2026.
His college career demonstrated the persistence that would later define his professional journey. Rather than arriving as a highly recruited prospect, Kelce developed through a combination of opportunity, positional versatility, and continued improvement.
Jason Kelce’s NFL Career
Draft and Early Years With the Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles selected Kelce with the 191st pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. Despite being a late selection, he won the starting center job as a rookie and started all 16 regular-season games, becoming the first rookie in Eagles history to start every game at center.
His second season was interrupted by a serious knee injury. Kelce suffered a torn ACL and MCL in September 2012 and missed the remainder of the season. He returned in 2013 and quickly re-established himself as a key part of Philadelphia’s offensive line.
That recovery became one of the early turning points in a career defined by durability and consistency.
Rise to Elite NFL Center
Kelce developed into one of the NFL’s premier centers through a combination of athleticism, technique, quickness, and ability to make decisions at the line of scrimmage.
The 2017 season was especially significant. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and helped Philadelphia produce a championship-winning season. His performance was part of the foundation for the Eagles’ first Super Bowl title.
He continued playing at a high level well beyond that championship season. By the end of his career, Kelce had accumulated seven Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro honors. The Eagles also recognized his 156 consecutive regular-season starts, a franchise record.
Super Bowl LII and Other Career Highlights
The defining championship moment came in Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018. Philadelphia defeated the New England Patriots 41–33, giving the Eagles their first Super Bowl championship.
Kelce became an especially prominent part of the celebration during Philadelphia’s championship parade. His emotional speech and distinctive Mummers-style outfit became closely associated with the city’s celebration of the title.
Five years later, Kelce reached another Super Bowl. In Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, the Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs, putting Jason and Travis Kelce on opposite teams in the first Super Bowl featuring two brothers as opposing players. Kansas City won 38–35.
Kelce returned for the 2023 season before ending his playing career the following year.
Retirement From Professional Football
Jason Kelce officially announced his retirement on March 4, 2024, after 13 seasons with Philadelphia. His retirement speech lasted roughly 41 minutes and focused heavily on his family, teammates, coaches, the Eagles organization, and Philadelphia.
His departure ended a rare one-team NFL career: every professional season he played was with the Eagles. Philadelphia’s official retrospective highlighted his combination of athleticism, intelligence, toughness, leadership, and community involvement.
Awards, Honors and Career Achievements
Pro Bowl and All-Pro Recognition
Kelce finished his career with seven Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro honors. Those accomplishments place him among the most decorated centers of his era.
His honors were spread across multiple stages of his career rather than being limited to one standout season. His sustained performance was a major reason he became widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite centers.
Eagles Records and Notable Milestones
One of Kelce’s most notable Eagles records is 156 consecutive regular-season starts. He also played 193 regular-season games and started all 12 postseason games he appeared in for Philadelphia, according to the Eagles’ retirement retrospective.
His career achievements include:
- Super Bowl LII champion
- Seven-time Pro Bowler
- Six-time first-team All-Pro
- 156 consecutive regular-season starts
- 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles
- 2011 sixth-round NFL Draft selection
- Two-time All-BIG EAST selection at Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s 2026 Hall of Fame announcement also recognized his transition from walk-on linebacker to accomplished offensive lineman and highlighted his two BCS bowl appearances with the Bearcats.
Jason Kelce’s Family and Personal Life
Marriage to Kylie Kelce
Jason Kelce married Kylie McDevitt in April 2018. The couple has built a family life that has remained a regular part of Kelce’s public identity while he has continued working in sports and entertainment.
Their relationship has also appeared in public discussions surrounding Kelce’s transition from NFL player to media personality.
His Children and Family Life
Jason and Kylie Kelce have four daughters: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett, and Finnley. Their youngest daughter, Finnley, was born in March 2025, meaning older sources that list only three children are now outdated.
Family has been an important part of Kelce’s life after football. His post-NFL schedule has remained busy, but he has continued to discuss parenting and family life publicly alongside his media work.
Relationship With Travis Kelce
Jason is the older brother of Travis Kelce, who plays tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Their professional careers became closely connected after they launched New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce in 2022.
Their relationship reached a unique sporting moment in Super Bowl LVII, when Jason’s Eagles faced Travis’s Chiefs. The matchup made them the first brothers to play against each other in a Super Bowl.
Their podcast has since become an important part of both brothers’ public profiles, combining football discussion with conversations about family, culture, and life away from the field.
What Jason Kelce Does After the NFL
Broadcasting and Television Work
Retirement did not take Kelce away from football. Instead, he moved into sports broadcasting, joining ESPN as an analyst for Monday Night Countdown. ESPN describes the program as featuring Kelce alongside other NFL analysts and personalities to preview Monday Night Football.
He also became the host of They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce, an ESPN late-night program that premiered in January 2025. The show combined football discussion, interviews, comedy, and Kelce’s distinctive personality.
His move into broadcasting allowed him to use the football knowledge developed during his playing career while taking on a very different role from the one he held on the field.
Podcasting, Hosting and Other Ventures
Kelce continues to co-host New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce. The podcast, launched in 2022, gives the brothers a platform to discuss football and their experiences in professional sports. Cincinnati Athletics noted that the show became a major part of Kelce’s post-NFL career.
He has also appeared in entertainment projects, including Saturday Night Live, and was featured in the 2023 documentary Kelce, which followed his life and football career during the 2022 season.
His post-retirement work therefore extends beyond traditional sports analysis. Broadcasting, podcasting, hosting, documentary appearances, and charitable activities have all contributed to the next stage of his public career.
Jason Kelce’s Legacy
Impact on the Philadelphia Eagles
Kelce’s legacy in Philadelphia is closely tied to consistency, leadership, and the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship. He spent his entire NFL career with the Eagles and became a prominent figure within the organization and the wider Philadelphia sports community.
The Eagles’ official retirement coverage emphasized both his football accomplishments and his connection with fans and the city. His 2018 championship parade speech became one of the defining public moments of his career.
His legacy is also reflected in his durability. Starting 156 consecutive regular-season games is an unusually significant achievement for an NFL offensive lineman, particularly given the physical demands of the position.
Influence on NFL Culture and Fans
Kelce became known for a combination that is unusual in professional sports: elite performance at a position that rarely receives widespread attention and an unusually visible personality away from the field.
His relationship with Philadelphia fans, his work with the Eagles Autism Foundation, his media career, and his partnership with Travis on New Heights expanded his influence beyond football.
In 2026, his legacy also received recognition from his college program when Cincinnati selected him for its Athletics Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary Class.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ;s)
Is Jason Kelce in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Jason Kelce has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired in 2024 after a 13-season career and finished with six first-team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowls, credentials that place him among the most decorated centers of his era.
What made Jason Kelce successful despite being a sixth-round pick?
Jason Kelce developed into an elite center through athleticism, technique, football intelligence, and consistent improvement. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him 191st overall in 2011, but he became a starter as a rookie and spent his entire NFL career with Philadelphia.
How many years did Jason Kelce play for the Eagles?
Jason Kelce played 13 NFL seasons, all with the Philadelphia Eagles. He started 156 consecutive regular-season games and finished his career with 193 regular-season appearances.
What does Jason Kelce do now that he is retired?
Jason Kelce works in sports media, including his role as an ESPN NFL analyst and his podcast with Travis Kelce. His post-NFL career has also included television hosting and entertainment projects.
Why was the Jason Kelce vs. Travis Kelce Super Bowl significant?
Super Bowl LVII was the first Super Bowl in which two brothers played against each other. Jason Kelce’s Philadelphia Eagles lost 38–35 to Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs in February 2023.
Where did Jason Kelce play college football?
Jason Kelce played college football at the University of Cincinnati. He began as a walk-on linebacker, moved to the offensive line, and became a three-year starter who earned All-BIG EAST honors twice.
How many children do Jason and Kylie Kelce have?
Jason and Kylie Kelce have four children: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett, and Finnley. Their youngest daughter, Finnley, was born on March 30, 2025.
What is Jason Kelce best known for outside football?
Jason Kelce is widely known for his media work, especially New Heights, the podcast he co-hosts with Travis Kelce. His emotional 2024 retirement speech and his connection with Philadelphia fans have also become important parts of his public legacy.
Conclusion
Jason Kelce built an exceptional NFL career through the Philadelphia Eagles, developing from a sixth-round draft pick into a Super Bowl champion, seven-time Pro Bowler, and six-time first-team All-Pro. His leadership, consistency, and connection with Philadelphia helped make him one of the most respected centers of his era.
Since retiring in 2024, Kelce has continued his career in broadcasting, podcasting, and television. Alongside his football achievements, his family life and partnership with his brother Travis have expanded his influence well beyond the field, giving Jason Kelce a lasting place in both NFL history and popular sports culture.
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