Eagles legend Jason Kelce talks NFL career and life beyond football at Rowan

Retired NFL star and Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce was greeted by a sea of green throughout Pfleeger Concert Hall during his visit to Rowan University on Tuesday, April 21. Hosted by Rowan Sports Communication & Media (Sports CaM), Kelce sat down with Neil Hartman, senior director of the Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact, to discuss his football career and transition to media and life after the NFL.

The first-come, first-seated event drew a line that wrapped around Wilson Hall and through the heart of campus. Students, faculty, staff and community members arrived as early as 1:30 p.m. to secure their chance to hear from the future Hall of Famer.

Before the six-time All-Pro offensive lineman could even sit down, Kelce was welcomed by the Pride of the Profs Marching Band, which performed the Rowan fight song and “Fly Eagles Fly.” 

Fellow Eagles legend and ‘Professional-in-Residence’ for the Sports CaM program, Mike Quick made a surprise appearance and helped introduce Kelce, praising his skills, smarts and leadership on and off the field. 

Kelce opened the discussion by reflecting on his college years and encouraging students to fully engage in their time at Rowan. 

“Get the best education you can, but do not forget to enjoy every second,” Kelce said. “It's a great time to explore and find out what you want to do with the rest of your life.” 

Several Sports CaM students helped drive the conversation by asking Kelce questions about women in sports, sharing the field with his brother, preparing for two Super Bowls, embracing parenthood in retirement and playing in a sports-crazed city like Philadelphia. Other students from the program helped with event organization, operations and production, gaining hands-on experience to support their academic coursework and future careers in the sports industry. 

Kelce reflected on the Eagles' 2018 Super Bowl win, identifying the NFC Championship Game as a turning point for the team. 

 “That was when everything really clicked,” he recalled. “It felt like we were going to be unstoppable.” 

He also discussed going head-to-head with his brother, Travis, during the Kelce Bowl and what it meant to share the sport's biggest stage family. 

“When you’re growing up, you always envision you’re playing with each other for your whole lives,” he said. “There were times when we thought about how cool it would be to play together in the NFL.” 

After 13 seasons spent entirely with the Eagles, Kelce spoke candidly about the mindset required to play through injury, sustaining a professional career and what he misses most about the game. He cited his teammates as the primary motivating force and admitted to missing preparing for games as a team and time spent in the locker room. 

“These guys are from all over the country and we all unite around the game, come together, bond, interact and communicate,” he said of the team. “It’s really a microcosm of the globe, and everybody’s trying to be the best in the world at something.” 

Now working as an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football and co-host of the New Heights podcast, Kelce said staying connected to football has helped ease the transition into retirement. 

Ahead of the event, Kelce spent time with Rowan’s football program on the field at Richard Wackar Stadium. While no Philly Special or Tush Push plays occurred, Kelce offered words of motivation and encouragement to the team. He later addressed the possibility of coaching in his future. 

“I would love to coach. I love staying connected to the game in a competitive way, involved in the Xs and Os,” he said. “It would feel wrong to have all this experience and knowledge that I've gained and disconnect completely.”

Kelce acknowledged the demands of coaching and balancing professional ambitions with his responsibility to his family. He deemed Kylie, his wife, the best teammate of his career, citing her as a great teacher of patience and selflessness for their four daughters. 

Hartman concluded the conversation by addressing one of Kelce’s lesser-known talents, the saxophone, and his interest in music. Reflecting on picking up a new skill, Kelce drew parallels between athletics and the arts, reinforcing the importance of practice. 

“Music in general is such a great avenue for learning structure, and I think the great athletes of this world are artistically driven in a similar way,” he said.

After a capacity crowd erupted in applause to conclude the program, Kelce stayed behind to sign jerseys and take selfies with students before doing an exclusive interview with Rowan Television Network. 

Check out the livestream of the event.