There was something about that news conference that many may not have noticed: Jason had his ankles taped.
It’s not uncommon for athletes during a game, but not at a news conference. It turns out there was a very heartwarming reason behind it.
He was taped up by Eagles athletic trainer, Joe O’Pella, the same way he was every day for 13 seasons. O’Pella is fighting cancer and had to miss Jason’s final game because he was in treatment. He shared a touching story in an Instagram post Tuesday.
“I taped this guy’s ankles and thumbs every day for 13 seasons, and when he played his last game in Tampa, again I couldn’t be there due to cancer,” he wrote. “And when he told me he would be retiring and I expressed my regret of not being the last person to ever tape him, and he offered to have me tape him for his retirement press conference. That’s who he is. And I hope these stories can add to an already unbelievable legacy.”
In his post, O’Pella recalled when he first met Jason.
“I remember back in Jason’s 2nd year, when he tore his knee, I went to the head trainer and told him that I needed to do his rehab [because] he needed to be treated like an athlete, not a conventional offensive lineman. What would occur over the next 12+ years would certainly impact my life in a way I never imagine,” he wrote.
O’Pella said he and his family became very close to him over the years. When he was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo treatment, O’Pella said Jason stepped up.
“He offered his shore house if I needed to get away, and offered to pay for meal services to help my wife and I out, and he called me randomly when I had been home, too sick to come in [because] of chemo, just to check on me and chat about random things. That’s who he is as a person,” he wrote.
During his announcement, Jason said he loves football, adding it didn’t matter if it was just in the backyard with his brother or on Friday nights in high school. He went on to thank coaches and other mentors from high school in Cleveland Heights to college, the University of Cincinnati, the Eagles, and the fans.
Jason read the prepared message from his phone during the press conference, which was attended by the Kelce family — including his brother Travis, mother Donna, and father Ed — and multiple members of the Eagles coaching staff.
He went on to recount various memories from his childhood in Ohio to the final days of his career during the 45-minute press conference. Jason also paid tribute to his wife Kylie Kelce, with whom he shares three daughters, and his parents.
“I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await,” he said.
It turns out there was a very heartwarming reason behind it. He was taped up by Eagles athletic trainer, Joe O'Pella, the same way he was every day for 13 seasons. O'Pella is fighting cancer and had to miss Jason's final game because he was in treatment. He shared a touching story in an Instagram post Tuesday.
Jason, who announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2024, and his wife, Kylie McDevitt, are proud parents of three daughters — Wyatt Elizabeth, Elliotte Ray and Bennett Llewellyn. The couple welcomed their youngest daughter in February 2023, shortly after the Super Bowl.
During an appearance on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast with Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, Kelce said he partied a bit too much ahead of the 2010 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, leading to the failed drug test. "I got kicked out of college because of it," Kelce said.
Jason explained why he wears number 62: "The significance of No. 62 is that when I made it to the NFL this is the number that was given to me and I am honored to wear it. Growing up I kind of liked the No.
He eventually went on to work as a sales rep, selling products to steels manufacturers, and would take young Travis and Jason with him to instil them with the importance of hard work. "I'd take them there — hard hat, safety glasses, boots, the whole nine yards," he told the LA Times.
Jason and Kylie Kelce celebrate wedding anniversary: What to know about their family. The former NFL star and his wife are parents of three. Former NFL star Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie are the parents of three daughters.
Jason Kelce will have a base salary of 1,165,000 dollars in 2023, with a signing bonus of 10,130,000. His deal for 2023 to 2024 guaranteed him an average annual salary of nine million dollars. Jason Kelce has career NFL salary earnings of over 80 million dollars in his 11 years with the Eagles.
On the "New Heights" podcast in 2023, Jason and Travis Kelce spoke to their mom about her marriage to their father, which lasted for over 20 years, before Donna Kelce confirmed she and Ed Kelce divorced over 10 years ago. Donna Kelce said she and Ed Kelce are "friends to this day."
Travis Kelce recently went viral after an old video of him and his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, resurfaced on the internet. Social media had a frenzy with the post, with fans having mixed opinions about Kelce's provocative video. The video, which some might find offensive, has received over 1.5 million views.
She went on to attend college at nearby Cabrini University in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where she majored in communications. When she graduated in 2017, Jason was there to celebrate. In October 2019, Jason spoke to reporters about having just become a parent with Kylie.
Jason Kelce's retirement will be official in June, but the former Eagles All-Pro center has a new job. Kelce is spurning the NFL Network and other platforms to join ESPN for a role on their pregame show, Monday Night Countdown. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic first reported the news.
Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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