The retirement of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, who recently announced his decision to step away from football after 13 seasons in Philadelphia, brought many tributes about his professional accomplishments. From his seven trips to the Pro Bowl, to six first-team All-Pro honors, to his efforts bringing the Eagles their first Super Bowl championship, Kelce has more accolades than a pro football player could dream of, which will likely earn him induction into the Hall of Fame five years hence.
But Jason Kelce’s on-the-field exploits are only half — and in many ways, the lesser half — of his talent. Eagles fans have long considered the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis (who’s that singer he’s dating again?) the “other” Kelce because Jason has always displayed his Hall of Fame character as an individual and as a man.
Everyman Empathy
Two traits in particular demonstrate Kelce’s personality in ways that can provide an example to football fans and non-fans alike. For one, he can and does relate to all manner of individuals, such that he wears his on-field greatness lightly. That trait explains his willingness to drink with fans at tailgates, as several videos over the years have demonstrated.
But Kelce also cares about others, in ways one wouldn’t expect from a high-paid celebrity athlete. Two incidents in recent months stand out on this front. At his brother Travis’ playoff game in Buffalo in January, Jason, a father of three himself, helped a young girl show a message to Travis’ famous girlfriend,
