Jason Kelce
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Center | Cincinnati | 11 |
Demonstrates Excellence on The Field
Jason Kelce quickly demonstrated his talents upon entering the NFL in 2011, becoming the first Eagles rookie offensive lineman to start all 16 games since Doug Brzezinski (who had been the first Eagles rookie center to do so in 1999). That debut season, Jason also surrendered only one sack. In 2013, he paved the way for the top rushing offense (160.4 ypg), highlighted by the NFL's leading rusher – LeSean McCoy (1,607 yards). The first of Jason's four Pro Bowl selections came in 2015, with ensuing choices in 2017, 2020, and 2021, owning the most Pro Bowls ever by an Eagles center. In 2017, Jason received the first of three selections to the Associated Press first-team All-Pro honoree list with ensuing selections in 2018 and 2019. Jason is the ninth player in franchise history to be named a first-team All-Pro three times. Has started 113 consecutive regular-season games (as of this submission), the longest active streak among NFL centers and the longest streak by an Eagles center since the 1970 merger. Jason is the first NFL center with 100+ straight starts in the regular season since Chris Myers from 2007-14 (123).
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
Jason has an ongoing commitment and connection to the Eagles Autism Foundation (EAF), participating in and contributing to several events, including the annual Eagles Autism Challenge with his family. This past August, Jason and his wife, Kylie, hosted a fundraiser at the Ocean Drive in Sea Isle City, NJ, for EAF. Describing this event as just another way to connect to Eagles fans and bring awareness to such a great cause, Jason spent four hours working as a celebrity bartender serving drinks to Eagles fans. The event raised $50,000, with the Kelce family matching those funds to reach a total of $100,000, all of which went towards autism research and programming.
Jason is an active board member on former Eagles teammate Connor Barwin's foundation, Make the World Better, which is focused on public space revitalization projects.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Since his rookie year, Jason has looked for opportunities to leverage his voice to lift up other organizations and help strengthen their message and impact. He has volunteered his time at a variety of organizations, including the Eagles Charitable Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House (where he joined individuals from their camp for a field day at Lincoln Financial Field), Bringing Hope Home (where he joined families from BHH at a community event to paint and carve pumpkins in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month), and Liberty USO (where he teamed up with Dietz & Watson, an Eagles corporate partner, to feed military families). The cause which has the most personal connection for Kelce is the Eagles Autism Foundation (EAF). When his wife, Kylie, brought Jason home to meet her family for the first time, she knew there was one person's approval she'd need above all others. Kylie is an autism support teacher whose close family friend, Tim, was diagnosed with autism as a child. Jason passed with flying colors and began his years-long support for the autism community and work with the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Since then, Kelce has become a passionate advocate for autism awareness, and the Kelce family has been dedicated to the cause. Jason's support for EAF and autism awareness includes visiting Kylie's autism support classroom to inspire and connect with the students; attending the team's Huddle Up for Autism event with his family; promoting the Eagles Sensory Room at Lincoln Financial Field on NBC's Today Show to highlight the need for such spaces; attending every sensory-friendly Philadelphia Orchestra event the Eagles have hosted, but also playing Fly Eagles Fly on the saxophone alongside the internationally-recognized Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Music Center; and donating experiences such as "Story Time with Jason Kelce" and "Play a Round of Golf with Jason Kelce" to Eagles Radiothon raising $20,000.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
In 2018, Jason fostered a special connection with an Eagles fan named Ben Hartranft, an individual with autism, exemplifying his heart and relationship with the fans. The two met when Ben had the opportunity to attend the Eagles Super Bowl ring ceremony. He asked Kelce to visit Dorney Park – a nearby amusement park that Ben had worked at – and, true to Kelce's nature, he immediately accepted the invitation. In total, Kelce and Ben spent close to four hours together that day. Ben describes Jason as a great guy, "He's very kind and loving. He's just the best."
When Travis Kelce (of the Kansas City Chiefs) visited his brother, Jason, and family this summer for a vacation in Sea Isle City, NJ, people asked if Travis also played football. For Philadelphia fans, there is only one Kelce whom they claim complete ownership and loyalty to. The fact that Kelce would dispute that speaks even more to his character. "I don't think there's any one person on this team that represents Philadelphia," Kelce says. "I think Philadelphia is such a diverse town, such a diverse area, that's one of the beautiful things about this team is that there's such a diverse group of people, and we have more than enough guys on this team that represent this city well and represent this organization well."
Jason's legacy as a Philadelphia legend was officially cemented in February 2018. Dressed in Mummers regalia at the podium atop the steps of the famed Philadelphia Museum of Art, Kelce closed the Super Bowl LII Parade of Champions with an emotional, powerful, and iconic speech. Inspired by the "underdog" theme associated with the playoff run, he delivered an ode to his teammates and the city's resilient spirit. "Honestly, I feel like he was always a culture figure in Philadelphia. I think the thing he did at the Art Museum steps put him over the top, but that's always been Jason Kelce. In the biggest moments, he rises to the top. I think guys like that really personify what Philly is," teammate Brandon Brooks says. Kelce's actions are evident on and off the field and are noticed by his teammates. "I think intangibles-wise, everybody knows on the field how good of a player he is. But off the field, man, the leadership he brings and the mentality ... guys look up to him. When he talks, everybody listens," says teammate Isaac Seumalo. "I've seen it multiple times," says All-Pro right tackle and teammate Lane Johnson. "It's just the guy he is. He plays football with passion, lives life with passion. He's just a passionate guy, and that's why he's such a good football player. He puts so much into it. I guess it's safe to say that Kelce is living his best life.
