Fans Can't Hold It Together After Donna Kelce's Sweet Message to Jason After Retirement
Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce
Note: a previous version of this article stated that Donna Kelce would be a guest on the March 6 episode of 'New Heights.' This has been corrected.
Just days after Jason Kelce announced his NFL retirement, the Philadelphia Eagles center joined brother Travis Kelce for a special new episode of their podcast—and fans were "not ready."
On X (formerly Twitter), the brothers shared some promotional photos ahead of the Wednesday, March 6 episode of New Heights, and fans were delighted to see their mom, Donna Kelce, posing with them in an adorable smiling shot.
"92%ers we got A LOT to talk about New in-person episode drops TOMORROW," the official New Heights account wrote on X, alongside two photos taken in Philadelphia: one of just the brothers and the one with the ever-wholesome Mama Kelce.
92%ers we got A LOT to talk about
New in-person episode drops TOMORROW
Subscribe: https://t.co/gJc5Ln8cUZ pic.twitter.com/W5UlhkppKl— New Heights (@newheightshow) March 5, 2024
Despite fans' initial assumption that Donna might be a guest on the episode with her two sons, the proud mom was only featured in a pre-recorded video appearance made for Jason to congratulate him on his retirement—but her message for her eldest son still made fans well up with tears.
"I'll never forget sitting in the stands in at the Lincoln [Field] in Philadelphia watching you run out from the tunnel for the first time while hearing your name announced over the stadium speakers," Donna said in her shout-out for Jason.
"I felt this fast wave of pride that came over me knowing that all your hard work, determination and persistence paid off for you to realize your dreams."
The video bounced around with messages from tons of other supporters, including their dad Ed Kelce, plus Shaquille O'Neal, Nick Foles, Beau Allen, Chris Long, Jalen Hurts, JJ Watt, Julian Edelman, Eli and Peyton Manning, Charles Barkley and more.
"Watching you living your life to the fullest has been the most fulfilling part of my life," Donna said when she came back on the screen.
In the comments, viewers were overwhelmed with emotion for the episode, especially after the whole Kelce family was in attendance for Jason's tearful press conference announcing his retirement.
"Bawling my eyes out like a big sap," one person wrote under the YouTube video of the episode.
Another person commented, "I did not know I was going to cry this much during a sports podcast."
The Wednesday New Heights episode was expected to make fans emotional, especially after hearing Jason's touching speech earlier in the week.
After 13 seasons playing for the Eagles, Jason announced his NFL retirement on March 4, during a 40-minute press conference. "It was really my brother and I our whole lives. We did almost everything together—competed, fought, laughed, cried and learned from each other," the 36-year-old said.
Jason added: "There is no chance I'd be here without the bond Travis and I share. It made me stronger, tougher, smarter, and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience and understanding."
.@JasonKelce discusses the special bond and importance of the relationship he shares with his brother, @tkelce 🤍 pic.twitter.com/ol2NGfPxwj
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 4, 2024
Next: Jason Kelce Gushes Over Wife Kylie During NFL Retirement Speech