Jason Kelce Announces Retirement: Is Hall of Fame a Lock?

The Philadelphia Eagles' season from hell is finally over. Even though most Eagles fans are presumably relieved that their team ripped off the band-aid by putting on a no-show against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night, they were also devastated by the news that followed the loss.

When the cameras were on Eagles legend Jason Kelce in the final minutes of the game, everyone could see the writing on the wall. Kelce was in near tears as he knew he just played the last game of his illustrious NFL career.

Eagles News: Jason Kelce Announces Retirement

This shouldn't have come as a surprise to Eagles fans as Kelce previously openly contemplated retirement, only to come back to the season for another year. Yet, at age 36, Kelce understandably decided to hang up the cleats.

This feels like the right way for Kelce to end his career. After a season in which he broke the Eagles record for most consecutive starts and got his seventh Pro Bowl appearance and sixth All-Pro nod, Kelce is finishing his career on a high note, near his peak.

He would have loved to bring the city another Super Bowl win, and fans would have loved to see what he had in store for them this time around in the championship parade, but one thing they will always know is that Kelce did his best, every single time on the field.

Kelce's retirement announcement brings forth the question: is he a Hall-of-Famer?

Without a doubt.

Being one of the best in your position in the league for a decade is as strong of an argument as any player can have. The longevity, durability, and consistently leading your team to elite offenses year in and year out is an incredible accomplishment by itself. On top of that, he has a resume that is nearly unmatched.

There are only four other centers in NFL history that have six All-Pro selections. Jim Otto, Jim Ringo, Dermotti Dawson, and Bulldog Turner are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kelce, who was able to combine that level of individual accomplishment with consistent team success, certainly deserves to be in the Hall-of-Fame.

Moreover, you can't write the history of the last decade of the NFL without Jason Kelce. He has revolutionized the center position, was an icon on and off the field, and along with Travis, became the first brothers to play against each other in a Super Bowl.

He is the definition of a surefire Hall-of-Famer and we can't wait to see him get that recognition.

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