LeSean McCoy praises ex-Eagles teammate Jason Kelce: ‘They desire a statue’

Monday afternoon, Philadelphia Eagles heart Jason Kelce launched the news that many had been dreading would arrive. After an favorite 13-year profession in the NFL, the seven-time Pro Bowl resolution launched his retirement from the game.

[Related: Eagles star Jason Kelce announces retirement]

Following the news, the six-time First Crew All-Pro bought reward all the blueprint in which throughout the sports activities world for his affect on the game and town of Philly. And at some stage in Monday’s edition of “Talk” on FS1, LeSean McCoy took time to reproduction on Kelce’s profession and their time as teammates.

Jason Kelce publicizes retirement from NFL | Talk

“Imagine a lineman, a middle … with of us wearing his jersey. Most of us don’t know what the linemen compare admire. That’s how huge he’s in Philadelphia,” acknowledged McCoy. “The kind of player he’s, is what Philadelphia is reminded of who they are. You discuss harmony. He loves all his teammates. You gaze from his speeches, his interviews, continuously talking so highly about his teammates, right?”

In his press convention announcing the news, Kelce gave a shoutout to McCoy as he mirrored on the Eagles’ “Blizzard Bowl” against the Detroit Lions relief in December 2013.

Attempting relief on the memorable snow game, Kelce shared: “The 2d half of change into all to LeSean McCoy. He by hook or by crook figured out a solution to lower on a dime, and man, it change into improbable to ticket. It change into likely basically the most fun game of football I’ve ever been in. It felt admire we had been all children every other time that day.”

That game, McCoy rushed for a franchise-supreme 217 yards, including two touchdowns, sooner than occurring to seriously change the all-time main rusher for the Eagles after the 2014 season. In 2011, McCoy also rushed for a franchise file 17 touchdowns, with Kelce, who change into a rookie at the time, as his heart.

On “Talk,” McCoy then shared a yarn of his personal about his worn teammate, taking it relief to the establish it all started when Kelce change into drafted in the sixth spherical of the 2011 Draft.

“If I’m being wonderful, after the third spherical, I build no longer count on who’s drafted. We had a man named Jamal Jackson who change into a starter for so a protracted time. He did if truth be told effectively. Kelce change into there to interchange him, kinda. So I undergo in thoughts Andy Reid drafted him … I acknowledged ‘Substantial Pink who the hell is that this minute white dude at heart? He’s my height and my size, what are we doing with him?’ And he acknowledged ‘Belief me. Finish I invent errors?’ Instant-forward, we secure the kid. He’s a rookie … he’s playing and I undergo in thoughts the first practices, they had been shaky. After, he bought better and better and better. I launch seeing drastic changes. So I am going relief to Coach Reid and change into admire, ‘Good day, you change into right’  We desire him.’ And in all my special performs I’m either going in the support of Jason Peters or Jason Kelce. That’s how right Kelce change into and, since then, I’ve by no manner viewed a middle as right as him since I left Philadelphia. So, be pleased your retirement brother. I will be calling you.”

[Related: Eagles, NFL stars react to Jason Kelce’s retirement]

Since that rookie season, Kelce has played all 13 years of his profession with the Eagles, serving to the team to two Sizable Bowl appearances and winning Sizable Bowl LII in 2017.

All over the clarify, McCoy also acknowledged Kelce’s determination to play through hurt or surgical treatment, which change into mirrored in the 2023 season as Kelce started all 17 games as a middle, surroundings a brand unusual franchise file for consecutive typical season begins (156). It also represents the longest wander by an NFL heart since Casey Wiegmann from 2001-11 (175).

“I’m so overjoyed for this dude,” McCoy acknowledged. “Kelce ought to be the form of player who they desire a statue outside the stadium as he stands for the Philadelphia Eagles is all about.”