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A16 SPORTS
Wednesday 17 January 2024

Eagles center Jason Kelce intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons,

AP sources say

By DAN GELSTON the Eagles, a hero on the Swifties flooded social me-
AP Sports Writer Philadelphia sports scene, dia with homemade vid-
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jason a Super Bowl champion. eos and tributes for Kelce.
Kelce stood on the sideline But after 13 seasons, 156 And who would have ever
in tears as the final seconds straight starts and six All-Pro guessed that even during
ticked off in his likely final NFL Team selections, Kelce has training camp?
game. Kelce embraced his told teammates he intends Her song “ Long Live “ was
long-time offensive line to retire, three people in- a popular choice for so-
coach. He removed his hel- formed of the decision told cial media tributes, in large

met once the game ended The Associated Press. part to lyrics that included:
a Philadelphia Eagles loss They spoke to the AP on “Long live all the magic we
that completed a harrow- condition of anonymity made/And bring on all the
ing season-ending collapse Tuesday out of respect for pretenders/One day, we will
and extended his hand to Kelce’s decision, which he be remembered.”
his wife and his father in the has not yet made public. One user with Swift as a
stands. “The goat!!!. Appreciate ya Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce walks off the field profile photo wrote on X,
What Kelce knew then big time,” Eagles corner- following an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the formerly known as Twitter,
what the gregarious center back Darius Slay Jr. wrote Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. “Here I am crying over the
couldn’t bring himself to say on social media. Associated Press loss of Taylor’s boyfriend’s
when he declined to speak Kelce could explain his de- tion yet, ready to talk about Cincinnati. He turned into brother.”
to the media in the after- cision as early as Wednes- that, but he’s special and I an Iron Man after he missed Kelce is a beloved Philly
math of the defeat was day, when the next episode love him,” Eagles coach most of the 2012 season with personality that has done
that his football career was of the “New Heights” pod- Nick Sirianni said after a 32-9 a partially torn MCL and torn everything from belting
over. cast he co-hosts with his loss to Tampa Bay. “He’s ACL. Kelce’s credentials go out holiday hits on a pair
The 36-year-old Kelce has brother, Kansas City Chiefs one of the most special guys far beyond football. He’s a of Christmas albums and
waivered on retirement tight end Travis Kelce boy- I’ve been around. He’s al- podcast co-host. He was playing celebrity bartender

over the last few seasons. friend of pop star Taylor Swift ways got a place here and the subject of the “Kelce” on the beach. Kelce per-
Coach Nick Sirianni added was expected to drop. The always want him to play.” documentary. Heck, Kelce formed the national anthem
to Kelce’s lore by shipping a brothers played each other The burly, bushy-haired and was even named one of at a 76ers game and par-
keg of beer to the center’s last season in the Super Bowl bearded Kelce has been a People magazine’s Sexiest tied with the Phanatic while
home to entice him to return that was won by the Chiefs. stalwart of the offensive line Men for 2023, alongside he pounded a beer to a
in 2022. “I love him. Yeah, obviously since he was a sixth-round Timothée Chalamet and roaring ovation at a Phillies
He has been the heart of we’re not there at that posi- pick in the 2011 draft out of Jamie Foxx. postseason game.q

Professional Fighters League takes first step into pay-per-view with

Saudi Arabia card

NEW YORK (AP) — The PFL vestments ensured mixed- lete in Bellator history to
is headed to pay-per-view, martial arts events will take become champion in two
with the MMA promotion place in that country. weight divisions simultane-
running a Super Fight event As part of the deal, PFL will ously, Ryan Bader (31-7) in
Feb. 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Ara- host multiple PPV Super Fight the main event. PFL Light
bia . The Professional Fight- Division pay-per-view events Heavyweight champ Impa
ers League first PPV will also in Saudi Arabia each year. Kasanganay (15-3) takes on
showcase talent from the The deal is just the latest undefeated Johnny Eblen
Bellator promotion, recent- move into sports by the Sau- (14-0) in a 185-pound fight.
ly purchased by PFL and di Arabia, which has had a The card also has matchups
placed under its umbrella. growing influence on pro- of previous PFL title chal-
The deal was aided in part fessional golf, soccer and lenges vs previous Bellator
by Saudi Arabia’s recent horse racing just to name a title challengers.
purchase into PFL. The pur- few in recent years. PFL is the only organization
chase was relatively mod- The card features four fights in MMA with a sports-season
est $100 million according of current PFL Champions format, where fighters com-
Mixed martial arts fighter Ryan Bader poses with his championship to the Financial Times but vs current Bellator Cham- pete in a regular season,
belts at a Bellator news conference, March 9, 2020, in New York. even in a minority role, pions. PFL’s Renan Ferreira playoffs, and championship
Associated Press Saudi-backed SRJ Sports In- (12-3) fights the first ath- each year.q