Dec 4, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) runs off the field against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles
(New York, NY) – The sports world is well aware that longtime Eagles center (and likely future Hall of Famer) Jason Kelce is pondering retirement.
While brother Travis and his even more famous girlfriend grab all of the mainstream headlines, honest-to-goodness sports fans are wondering if Jason is getting ready to hang ‘em up.
Now, an icon of a different sport is weighing in. On a recent episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” the man who played 19 seasons in the NBA said “My advice to you if you are going to retire: Accept it, enjoy your family, brother,” Shaquille O’Neal offered.
After the Eagles were bounced from the playoffs in the opening round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reports emerged Kelce had told teammates he was ready to retire in the postgame locker room. He later suggested that was overly hasty and he’s not ready to make a decision.
O’Neal was seemingly urging Kelce to consider the broader picture, and all that waits for him when his paying days are over.
“I made a lot of dumbass mistakes to where I lost my family and I didn’t have anybody,” O’Neal shared. “That’s not the case for you, so enjoy your beautiful wife, enjoy your beautiful kids, and never dwell on what we had. What we had is what we got. You got the ring, people know who you are. Enjoy, because again, I was an idiot, and I’ve talked about it a long time. I lost my whole family. I’m in a 100,000-square-foot house by myself.”
In the past, Shaq has spoken at detail about his marriage to Shaunie Nelson, which ended in divorce in 2011. O’Neal says he was not the “best partner.” The couple have four children together.
As for Kelce, who is married and has three daughters, it’s expected a decision will come soon regarding his NFL future. If the 36-year-old returns it will be his 14th season with the Eagles.
