How Eagles Coach Jeff Stoutland's Belief Fueled Jason Kelce's Hall of Fame Run
PHILADELPHIA - From a 12-year-old middle-schooler in Cleveland Heights, Ohio to a 36-year-old NFL veteran with a gold jacket in his future, the curtain closed on Jason Kelce’s football career on Monday at the NovaCare Complex.
In an emotional 40-plus minute speech with family and friends in attendance, the Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center stayed true to his word by honoring those who helped him along the way.
You wouldn’t know it by the Canton-worthy resume Kelce cobbled together in Philadelphia but football was always hard for him.
“Football was hard, much harder than any other sport I had ever played, physically and mentally,” Kelce admitted. “In most other sports, I was bigger, faster, stronger than everyone else. On the football field, those traits were matched. On the lacrosse field, I felt like LeBron James. On the football field, I was Billy Hoyle (the character from “White Men Can’t Jump).”
Few remember now that Kelce’s career ended with six All-Pro berths over his final seven seasons but rewind to the 2016 season and more than a few believed the Eagles needed to move on from the undersized center.
Eagles center Jason Kelce during his retirement speech
John McMullen/Eagles Today
“I saw first-hand the wrath of the Eagles fans in the 2016 Eagles season. And rightfully so,” Kelce remembered. “I had an awful start to that season, where I was often overpowered, had many holding penalties that cost our team, and looked like one of the worst centers in the league.
“I was wanted out of town by nearly everyone. And it wasn’t just the fans that wanted me gone. It was nearly everyone in this organization. That offseason, I heard trade rumors galore and speculation that I’d be cut. I imagined if the Eagles had received a trade offer for a brand new set of washing machines, they may have pulled the trigger. Hell, if I was in charge, I would have pulled the trigger.”
It was the lowest point of Kelce’s NFL career but one man still believed.
“There was only one person in this building who still wanted me, and it’s he who I have to thank most for the career,” Kelce said, pausing to cry. “That’s [Eagles offensive line coach] Jeff Stoutland. No one has been more influential or meaningful to my success on the field and my career than Stout.”
The belief Stoutland had in Kelce fueled a resurgence that ended with Kelce being regarded as one of the best centers in NFL history.
“I think one of the greatest things a human being can give another is belief,” said Kelce. “This world, life, it can be hard. It can challenge yourself to points of self-doubt, and that is a dangerous place to be.
“In my darkest hours as a Philadelphian, Stout is the one who believed in me.”
That belief, coupled with a buy-in from Kelce himself, was the formula for greatness.
“He was adamant that my problems could be fixed with proper technique, fundamentals, and work,” Kelce said of Stoutland. “And work we did. That offseason in training camp, I focused on using my hands better, playing with leverage, proper footwork, and prepared with an edge to prove to myself that I was good enough.”
It was no coincidence that 2017 turned into the special season in Philadelphia, both Kelce’s self-scouted personal best and the high point of the franchise in the modern era with a Super Bowl LII championship.
“The following season, in 2017, I enjoyed the finest season of my 13-year career,” Kelce surmised. “Not only as a player, but as a team. And it meant more because of the struggles and work that we had been through.
“Without (Stoutland), I doubt any of this would have been possible or that I’d still be here. Since that offseason, I have amassed six All-Pros, five Pro Bowls, and am recognized by some as one of the best centers to ever play the game.
“I am very proud knowing where I once was, and the legacy I have left behind. And the man we can all thank is Jeff Stoutland.”
Kelce sprinkled his remarks with three Stoutland quotes:
“More often than not, the easy way is the wrong way.”
“No man is an island. We must draw our strengths from others.”
And finally, “Hungry dogs run faster.”
Through it all Stoutland himself sat in the back of the NovaCare Complex auditorium watching, no doubt proud of the player he helped Kelce become.
After the veteran coach took to X.com to reciprocate the love.
“Jason,
"Some of my fondest coaching moments have been by your side these past 11 seasons. I’m so proud of the player you’ve worked to become and legacy you’ve built. I will miss having you by my side. It’s been my honor & I congratulate you on an incredible career.
Stout out”
Luckily for the Eagles, however, Stoutland isn’t going anywhere.
Cam Jurgens, you’re up.
