Jason Kelce admitted he will have a hard time retiring from football after watching his younger brother Travis reach the Super Bowl again with the Chiefs.
Jason spoke exclusively to on the field at M&T Bank Stadium and praised Travis, who made NFL history when Kansas City defeated the Ravens 17-10 to reach their fourth Super Bowl in five years.
The Philadelphia Eagles center, along with Travis' girlfriend Taylor Swift, watched from the stands as the tight end made 11 receptions and scored a touchdown in a relaxed atmosphere in Baltimore.
The two brothers hugged on the field afterward, and Jason told Travis to “finish this son of a bitch.”
Minutes later, the 36-year-old – who has hinted he could retire after this season – told : “Whenever you're in that atmosphere, man, it's really hard not to want to keep doing it .”
Jason Kelce said he will have a hard time retiring after watching brother Travis reach the Super Bowl
The Kelce brothers shared an emotional hug after the Chiefs' win over the Ravens
He added: “The game continues to be difficult to play – selfishly, physically. “It's a tiring sport and the older you get, the harder it becomes to try… (but) it's hard. It's really hard. I'll be honest with you.'
Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs faced a host of critical tests during an indifferent regular season in which the defending Super Bowl champions lost six games and struggled for offensive rhythm.
But Andy Reid's team impressed in the playoffs – against the Bills and Ravens – and Jason praised the character of his brother and Travis' teammates in defying their doubters.
“I think they went on the offensive,” he said. “Trav has been criticized a lot and that’s the nature of this business.”
“But I think they've continued to get better offensively, across the board.” (Wide receiver) Rashee Rice has really proven herself. (Isiah) Pacheco is still involved. They distribute the ball really phenomenally. And Pat Mahomes finds ways to succeed.
Taylor Swift was in the stands alongside Jason at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday
The Chiefs tight end was a crucial weapon for Patrick Mahomes as Kansas City won 17-10
“I think Trav is involved in this success.” The beauty of this sport is that no man is an island. You must draw your strength from others. It's really a team game. And no matter how good you are as an individual, teams can double you. Teams can find a way to bring a person along.
“When the offenses operate as a team, as a unit and balanced, it becomes difficult to take away great players.” And I think Trav has benefited from a lot of great players in this offense – especially recently. They play really, really good football.”
Kelce has experienced opportunities like this in his 12 years with the Eagles. He won the Super Bowl in 2017 and faced his brother in last year's showpiece. When asked what it was like to experience a game of this magnitude from the stands rather than on the field, he said: “I had my share on the field and I had my share in the stands.”
Jason leaves the field in Tampa Bay – possibly for the last time – after the wild card loss
A week later, the Eagles star was in the VIP rooms at Highmark Stadium ripping off his shirt
“And whenever you watch playoff football, there’s something so magical about it. There's something so surreal about it. And everyone there – in the stadium and on the field – knows that this is a unique situation.
“I can't say enough incredible things about the Kansas City Chiefs, Pat Mahomes and this team's resilience to make it in a hostile environment.” This audience was thrilled. That crowd in Baltimore was incredible. And they survived. They played through it. And they found a way to do it against one of the NFL's best defenses – and also against the league's likely MVP in Lamar Jackson.
“It's such a remarkable task to try to accomplish.” But when you have people like Andy Reid at the helm, all their coaches and leaders at the helm and Pat Mahomes, it's really a joy to see teams like that succeed to watch.”