Kelce appears to have given strong indications of his retirement from the NFL in the aftermath of Philadelphia’s Wild Card defeat by the Buccaneers on Monday.
In a heartwarming gesture on Wednesday, as reported by FOX 29 News Philadelphia, the 36-year-old surprised superfan Danielle Bonham, who had served him at a Broomall fast-food restaurant multiple times over the past year.
In a touching moment captured in a photo, Bonham held up a jersey as Kelce, seated inside his car, smiled from the other side of the drive-thru window. The Super Bowl winner had inscribed on the shirt, ‘To Danielle, Go Birds! Thank you!’ along with his name and No. 62.
Kelce, visibly emotional, seemed to confirm his departure from the NFL after Tampa Bay dashed the Eagles’ Super Bowl aspirations.
Initial reports on Tuesday suggested the renowned center was indeed concluding his illustrious career following Philadelphia’s 32-9 Wild Card defeat.
Breaking his silence on the matter during the latest episode of his New Heights podcast with his brother Travis, Kelce addressed the speculation: ‘I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose – despite what’s been leaked to the media.’
He continued, expressing the complexity of making such a decision immediately after a game: ‘I just don’t think you’re in a position, after a game like that, to really make that decision. There’s too much emotion in the moment.’
Kelce, drafted by the Eagles in 2011, emphasized that he isn’t trying to prolong the situation but rather aims to announce his future plans in a manner that is definitive and respectful to those who have been significant in his career.
Reflecting on the frustration of the current circumstances, he concluded by saying that an official announcement will come in due time, acknowledging the need for a thoughtful and respectful approach given the gravity of the decision.