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SPORTS Saturday 4 February 2023
From Reid to Super Bowls, Eagles 4 stalwarts done it all

By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ja-
son Kelce felt the pull of
retirement after the Eagles
slogged through a miser-
able 2020 season and a
second Super Bowl any
time soon seemed like a
joke. The Christmas album
crooner,honorary Mum-
mer and All-Pro center
how many players have all
those titles in their NFL.com
bio? considered walking
away at the end of last
season. His future was one
of the more pressing off-
season questions on tap, so
Philadelphia Eagles coach
Nick Sirianni shipped the
big guy two cases of beer
to coax him to stay.
So Kelce stayed.
“I’ve learned now I don’t
know when that last game
is going to come,” the
35-year-old Kelce said.
Hey, at least Kelce knows
for sure when the last
game this season is going Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, center, stands with defensive end Brandon Graham (55) offensive tackle
to come. Lane Johnson (65), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, and center Jason Kelce (62) after the NFC Championship NFL football game
Kelce has tried not to con- between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia.
sider that the Super Bowl Associated Press
against Kansas City could
be his final game as an best way to do that is go zona just in case. 2018 Super Bowl parade free-agency for the first
Eagle. But he’s not the out and win the big one in Kelce has been as durable when he dressed as one time in his career.
only veteran Eagle and Su- style. as they come, with the Su- of Philadelphia’s famed “I know I’m not the guy I
per Bowl champion with a “Since the day I got here, per Bowl putting him at 149 Mummer’s and the ulti- was early on,” he said. “I
murky future. Kelce, Fletch- that’s all they talk about,” consecutive games. mate underdog delivered do feel like I’m still pass-
er Cox and Brandon Gra- defensive tackle Javon “He’s out there at practice a fiery, profane speech rushing the same. I’m able
ham are the lone holdovers Hargrave said. “Tell me every day limping around that whipped the crowd to be dominant in the run
from former coach Andy how they feel when they and giving his all to the into a frenzy. game. I’m enjoying being
Reid’s last season with the went to the Super Bowl team,” tight end Dallas Go- “No one likes us! No one the leader for the guys.”
Eagles in 2012. There’s a and all the memories they edert said. likes us! No one likes us! Lane Johnson. Age 32.
chance none of the three had. It’s pretty cool to have Let’s take a look at some We don’t care,” Kelce ex- Right tackle. First-round
will be back for the 2023 people who have done it of the foursome’s finer mo- claimed. “We’re from Philly! pick. 2013. Two-time first-
season. before.” ments: (Expletive) Philly. No one team All-Pro.
“I know them personally Hargrave’s nod to the Jason Kelce. Age 35. Cen- likes us! We don’t care!” Johnson, signed through
and they are tough guys, veterans was interrupted ter. Sixth-round pick, 2011. Brandon Graham. Age 34. 2025, bypassed surgery
tough-minded,” Reid said. when Graham pulled on Five-time first-team All-Pro. Defensive end. First-round late in the season and has
“They’re good leaders, fun his gaudy Super Bowl jack- The burly, bushy-haired Bird pick. 2010. 2020 Pro Bowl. played through the post-
to be around, and they’re et with tags dangling from has been a stalwart of the The most famous moment season with a torn adduc-
good football players. Each the sleeve at the neighbor- offensive line since he was in Eagles history is the trick tor in his groin. He did not
one has their own charac- ing locker. All they need is drafted and as an Iron Man play that saw QB Nick Foles allow a sack all season.
teristic, but in general I’d a new ring to complete the after he missed most of the catch a touchdown to But Johnson has received
tell you that about all of ensemble. 2012 season with a partial- lead them past the New kudos for his openness in
them, great team guys.” If they beat the Chiefs, ly torn MCL and torn ACL. England Patriots for the dealing with his mental
Lane Johnson completes some might go out in Philly He’s in the last season of his franchise’s first Super Bowl health. Johnson took a
the four veteran anchors on top. contract. victory. Right behind it? leave during the 2021 sea-
and was a rookie in former This is no ordinary game He’s a fan favorite and has Graham’s strip-sack of Tom son as he battled anxiety
coach Chip Kelly’s first sea- for Kelce. On the Kansas done it all outside the foot- Brady in the same game and depression and has
son in 2013. City side, there’s Reid, the ball field, such as singing with 2:21 left in the fourth since shared his story at de-
The tenured stars the Core coach who drafted him. the national anthem at a quarter. Derek Barnett re- pression treatment clinics in
Four have won a Super Also over there is his broth- 76ers game, partying with covered and the Eagles the area.
Bowl under former coach er, tight end Travis Kelce, the Phanatic and pound- hung on to win 41-33. “I felt the shame, I felt like
Doug Pederson and won marking the first time sib- ing a beer to a roaring ova- He missed most of last sea- it was a crutch,” Johnson
just four games in 2020. lings will face off in the Su- tion at a Phillies postseason son with a torn Achilles but said last year.
They’ve been hurt and set per Bowl. One more thing, game. came back to post a ca- Fletcher Cox. Age 32. De-
records. They’ve also raised Kelce’s wife Kylie is preg- But the moment that en- reer-high 11 sacks. Graham fensive tackle. First-round
the standard on what it nant and the couple is deared him for life to the said he’s not retiring and pick 2012. First-team All-Pro
means to be an Eagle. The bringing their ob-gyn to Ari- Philly faithful came at the was excited about testing 2018.q