In a new episode of their 'New Heights' podcast, Travis Kelce broke down in tears while honoring brother Jason Kelce, 36, who had just announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
"We couldn't be more proud of you, man," Travis said as he recapped Jason's heartfelt speech. The legendary Philadelphia Eagles center officially confirmed that he has retired in a touching announcement on Monday that paid tribute to the many people who have influenced his journey.
Travis, overcome with emotion, addressed the big news alongside his sibling in Wednesday's episode.
"We did not talk much of your retirement," Travis revealed of their private conversations in recent months, following a tough ending to the Eagles season in January.
"I wanted to make sure that you didn't feel any pressure from me to keep going, knowing that I wanted you to keep going. I wanted you to keep playing this game."
Jason joked, "Why didn't you tell me this? I would have changed my mind."
"No, no, no," Travis replied. "You've always been a step ahead of me."
Jason shrugged off the remark and said, "I'm older, Trav."
Travis, the current tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, revealed to his brother that he looks up to him in more ways than just age.
"Yeah, but in this game alone, you've always been a step ahead of me and it's always been like I've had that flotation device right there," he explained with thick emotion.
"To have you out of it, man, it feels empty," Travis continued through tears. "It feels like, it's um, it's complete. It was a success."
Cue the waterworks, Jason also started breaking down amid his brother's heartfelt words.
"It was a fun ass journey to watch," Travis said.
"Like I said yesterday, man, I just appreciate you showing me the way and bringing us all along the journey with ya, big guy."
Later in the podcast, Jason spoke on what led to his decision after considering retirement for the last several years.
"It's been a long time coming," he admitted. "It felt good to finally get it out there in some ways, and in other ways, it hurts."
Jason explained, "It was more firm than it's ever been this year that I just don't think physically I can compete at the level that I want to anymore, and to really compete the way I want to."
Brotherly Love:
"I won't forget falling short to the Chiefs," he said during Monday's press conference.
"This is where it's going to go off the rails."
He recalled "the immense heartbreak" of losing Super Bowl LVII to Travis and his team but expressed the evident pride he felt for his brother at that moment.
