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Retired former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce issued a statement addressing his "mixed emotions" after his former teammates defeated his brother Travis' Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on his X account early Tuesday (February 11) morning.
Kelce, 37, one of the most beloved players in Eagles history, had previously played against his brother's Chiefs in Super Bowl LII, playing one more season in 2023 before announcing his retirement last March. The former All-Pro center said he now understood how his parents, Ed and Donna, felt cheering on both of their sons as he celebrated his former teammates' win while having a difficult time processing feelings for Travis' loss.
"Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles, my former teammates, and friends on being SB LIX Champions!! There were a lot of emotions last night, and now that I’ve collected my thoughts, I’ll attempt to share them in the longest tweet ever," he wrote. "That game was odd for me to watch if I’m being completely honest. I knew it was going to be mixed emotions before, during, and after, and I now know what my parents had to deal with two years ago. On one hand, I wanted what is best for my brother, and to see his success. And on the other hand, there are so many people, teammates, and coaches, in the Philadelphia Eagles organization that I care deeply about, Many of whom I owe my own success to throughout my career.
"I am very proud for [quarterback] Jalen Hurts, [head coach] Nick Sirianni, and this entire team. They have persevered greatly, answered their critics amazingly, and proved themselves to be undoubtedly the best team this season. It is extremely difficult for a team in the NFL to have enough talent, coaching, fortune, and character to win a Super Bowl. The character and swagger of this Eagles team was something truly special to behold. A true representation of the toughness and grit that makes Philadelphia what it is. Well done fellas, well fucking done.
"As for my brother, There isn’t a person I love or care about more. It has been tough to process these feelings, of course I feel for him and am always rooting for him, but I know he does not need, nor want my pity. He has amassed greatness few on this planet could ever dream of, as has his team, and they should feel pride in their accomplishments this season and in the past. I know right now they are still thinking of last night and the shortcomings in the last game, But in time that will fade, and the greatness they have exhibited as a group will remain as one of the most dominant eras of football ever.
"Man I love this sport, the people that play it, and the fans that enjoy it. Nothing else like it. Congratulations Philadelphia, I look forward to the speeches and celebrations that will happen in the coming days. I mean who doesn’t love a parade! In the words of [former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman] Chase Utley 'World Fucking Champs', and to all the haters out there, remember what my man [former Eagles running back] Jay Ajayi said 'F**k Em' Go Birds"
Travis, 35, looked visibly frustrated throughout the game, finishing with four receptions for 39 yards amid speculation about his NFL future.
“Hats off to the Eagles, man,” he said via the Washington Post's Sam Fortier. “They got after us, all three phases.”
“[We] couldn’t get it going offensively,” Travis added. “I mean they just got after us on all three phases and then on top of that, you know, turnovers, penalties, playing behind the sticks on offense.”
“We just couldn’t find that spark,” he said. “We couldn’t find that momentum.”
The younger Kelce recently surpassed the 1,000 career receptions plateau and became the Chiefs' all-time leader in touchdown receptions, but has seen his numbers decline, recording 823 yards and three touchdowns, his lowest single-season totals in both categories since becoming a starter in 2014.