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Honoring Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce on the occasion of his retirement from the National Football League, and recognizing Jason’s historic career with the Philadelphia Eagles and his generous philanthropic contributions to the City of Philadelphia made through the Make The World Better Foundation and his (Be)Philly Foundation.
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WHEREAS, Jason Kelce is a native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio and was raised by loving parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, alongside his younger brother Travis. Kelce began playing organized football at 12 years old, at Roxboro Middle School, and continued his development at Cleveland Heights High School, where he played running back and linebacker. In addition to his passion for football, Kelce also developed his musical talents as a baritone saxophonist in the school’s bands; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Cleveland Heights, Kelce chose to attend the University of Cincinnati. Although he was not recruited to the school’s football team, Jason was determined to continue his football career in college and joined the squad as a walk-on at linebacker. Recognizing that his walk-on status meant he would need to fight harder for playing opportunities, Kelce developed a work ethic and underdog mentality during his time in Cincinnati that would define his career as a professional; and
WHEREAS, After a redshirt freshman season at Cincinnati, Kelce made the career-defining shift to play offensive line, starting for two seasons as a guard before finding his home at the center position during his senior season; and
WHEREAS, Jason Kelce entered the NFL Draft in 2011 and he was selected in the 6th round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Recognizing that Jason’s skill set and personality were well suited both to the Eagles’ playing style and to Philadelphia’s passionate sports culture, Kelce’s agent predicted, prophetically, “you’re going to fit in great in Philadelphia. This is your kind of town”; and
WHEREAS, Kelce made an immediate impact upon joining the Eagles, earning the starting center position in his first season and becoming the first Eagles rookie to start all 16 regular season games at that position; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his NFL career, Jason Kelce was consistently recognized as one of the league’s most talented offensive linemen. In addition to countless accolades from NFL analysts, Kelce played in seven Pro Bowls and was selected First-team All-Pro in six of his final seven NFL seasons; and
WHEREAS, Jason Kelce was an indispensable part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship in 2018, the team’s first Super Bowl and its first championship in 52 years. During the Eagles’ championship run, Kelce rose to the occasion and delivered what many consider to be the best season of his career; and
WHEREAS, Jason Kelce has earned his status as an Eagles’ fan-favorite through his dedication to Philadelphia and his adoption of the City’s passionate sports culture. In what quickly became an iconic moment in Philadelphia sports history, Kelce dressed as a Mummer for the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade in 2018 and delivered an impassioned speech from the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that Eagles fans will never forget; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his historic career on the football field, Jason Kelce has also made generous philanthropic contributions to the City of Philadelphia through his work with fellow-Eagle Connor Barwin’s Make The World Better Foundation and the (Be)Philly Foundation, which Kelce founded in 2022. Supported through donations and the proceeds from sales of Kelce’s Underdog Apparel brand, (Be)Philly is dedicated to supporting our City’s young people and ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to fulfill their potential; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is a City defined by its residents’ grit and tenacity, and every Philadelphian knows that “hungry dogs run faster.” Embodying that spirit, Jason Kelce has become a deserving symbol of Philadelphia and the City’s passionate sports culture. The Council is proud to join with the Kelce family and the Philadelphia Eagles in celebrating Jason’s monumental career with the Eagles and his well deserved retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor Super Bowl champion Jason Kelce on the occasion of his retirement from the National Football League, and recognize Jason’s historic career with the Philadelphia Eagles and his generous philanthropic contributions to the City of Philadelphia made through the Make The World Better Foundation and his (Be)Philly Foundation.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Jason Kelce as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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