by Jason Kelce: From Sixth-Round Pick to Hall of Fame Candidate
Jason Kelce’s career has been a journey of defying expectations. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce has gone on to become one of the best centers in NFL history through hard work and determination. Now in his 11th season, Kelce is still performing at an elite level and cementing his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let’s take a look back at the peaks and valleys that shaped Kelce into the legend he is today.
Sixth-Round Cinderella
Coming out of the University of Cincinnati, Kelce was not viewed as a top prospect. He was undersized for the center position at just 285 pounds and lacked the elite athleticism that teams coveted at the time. As a result, Kelce fell all the way to the 191st pick in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. This slight undoubtedly fueled Kelce’s competitive fire and chip-on-his-shoulder mentality that has driven him throughout his career.
Kelce faced an uphill battle just to make the Eagles’ roster as a rookie, let alone earn a starting job. However, through tireless work in the weight room and film room, Kelce impressed the coaching staff with his intelligence and technique. He battled his way up the depth chart and ultimately won the starting center role in 2012. Kelce’s underdog story of being a late-round pick and becoming a Week 1 starter immediately endeared him to the passionate Philly fanbase. He was now their “Sixth-Round Cinderella.”
Dominant Center
Once Kelce secured the starting job, he never let it go. He has been the anchor of the Eagles’ offensive line for the past decade. Kelce’s combination of quick feet, strong hands, football IQ, and leadership abilities have made him one of the premier centers in the NFL. He excels at making line calls and adjustments, as well as controlling defenders at the point of attack in both the run and pass game.
Kelce’s play has earned him widespread acclaim and recognition. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl an impressive six times and earned First-Team All-Pro honors on five occasions. Kelce has developed a reputation league-wide as one of the smartest and toughest players in the NFL. His tape is routinely studied by other centers and linemen looking to improve their technique.
Durability and Consistency
In addition to his high-level play, Kelce has brought unmatched durability and reliability to the Eagles over the years. He has started 135 out of a possible 144 regular season games since becoming the starter in 2012. Kelce’s “I will play through anything” mindset has benefited Philadelphia immensely and allowed their offense to stay consistent.
Even during the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run, Kelce played through various injuries and ailments that would have sidelined most players. His determination to be out on the field no matter what has been a perfect fit for the city of Philadelphia. Eagles fans have come to count on Kelce anchoring their offensive line week in and week out for over a decade now.
Super Bowl Champion
The pinnacle of Kelce’s career came in 2017 when he helped lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory. Going up against the juggernaut New England Patriots and future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick, Kelce and the Eagles’ offensive line took it as a personal challenge. They dominated in the trenches throughout the playoffs, including a masterful performance in the 41-33 Super Bowl LII win.
Kelce was a key leader of the underdog Eagles team that shocked the world. His experience, intelligence, and ability to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage gave Philadelphia an advantage. With Kelce at the helm, running back Jay Ajayi rushed for over 100 yards and the Eagles’ offense racked up over 500 total yards. Kelce cemented his legacy as a champion and one of the greatest Philadelphia athletes of all time with his Super Bowl performance.
Penalties and Injuries
While Kelce’s career has been overwhelmingly positive, there have been some bumps in the road. As a physical, aggressive blocker, Kelce has struggled with penalties at times throughout his career. He currently holds the NFL record for most penalties by a center. While this fire and competitive nature is also part of what makes Kelce great, the flags can be detrimental.
Injuries have also been an occasional issue for Kelce, despite his durability. He has missed a handful of games over the years to various lower body injuries. The physical toll of playing center at an elite level for so long was bound to lead to some health setbacks. A serious long-term injury could potentially impact Kelce’s ability to continue at a high level or consider retirement.
Current Status and Future Hall of Famer
At 34 years old, Kelce is now in his 11th season with the Eagles. Going against typical career arcs for offensive linemen, Kelce just signed a new one-year contract extension to return for the 2022 season. This shows that both Kelce and the Eagles still feel he is performing like one of the top centers in football.
Kelce remains a captain, leader, and fan favorite in Philadelphia. As long as his body allows, Kelce has expressed a desire to keep playing. However, retirement cannot be far off given his age. When that day comes, Kelce will almost certainly have a bust in Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His accomplishments, accolades, championship pedigree, and longevity at the highest level of competition make Kelce a no-doubt Hall of Famer in the eyes of many analysts. Combining all of the peaks and valleys of his journey only strengthens Kelce’s case as one of the greatest to ever play the center position. Philadelphia will forever celebrate Jason Kelce as not only one of their own, but also as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
