Days after first announcing his retirement from the NFL on Monday, March 4, Jason Kelce opened up about the big decision on the new episode of his podcast New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Travis.
While discussing the life-changing decision, Travis asked his brother outright, “Who helped you the most in deciding all this? What was the biggest influence helping you?”
Some fans might’ve expected to hear Jason name an iconic football player or a mentor in the field, but after considering the question, Jason seriously answered, “Me.”
He had a great reason too, saying, “I think that’s how I knew. Like in previous years, I’d reach out to other guys, like, ‘Hey, how do you know when you wanna stop playing?’…The reality was, you know, it was more firm than it’s ever been this year that I just don’t think physically I can compete at the level that I want to anymore.”
Jason went on to describe how he has dealt with physical issues that would eventually affect his game-day performance, adding, “I’m hard on myself and if I go out there and I’m not the player that I want to be, it’ll crush me.”
The podcast episode featured many emotional moments, including when Travis broke down talking about his brother’s retirement, saying “it feels empty” to be in the NFL without him, as the two bid farewell to Jason’s football career.
Jason and Travis also touched on the future of the Eagles without him, which led the elder Kelce brother to share what he regrets about his retirement: the timing. He said, “The one thing that I’m disappointed about retiring right now is I’m retiring when the Eagles had potentially the biggest collapse in the history of the organization… And the reason I say that I’m upset about that is I really, truly think the Eagles are going to ball out next year.”
Fans took over the comments with words of support and love for both Jason and Travis, with many giving interesting suggestions about what the former’s next move could be.
One shared the idea, “How about a reality show of Jason doing every job possible and fulfilling all the things he wants to get to do?! I would watch 1000%,” as another fully endorsed the 36-year-old starring in his own reality series tailgating at football games.
While Jason hasn’t hinted at what he might want to do next, it’s safe to say that his fans will stand behind whatever he decides.
Next: See Jason Kelce Body-Slam a Flaming Table After NFL Retirement Announcement