Jason Kelce’s Trophy Cabinet Tells the Story of an Elite NFL Center

Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the greatest centers to ever play in the NFL. While he may not be the flashiest or most vocal player, his accolades and on-field dominance do all the talking. From being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 to winning a Super Bowl and making numerous Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams, Kelce’s trophy cabinet chronicles the evolution of a player who has grown into an elite force at the center position.

Let’s take a look at Kelce’s career and the awards and honors he has accumulated that highlight his sustained excellence over the past decade in the NFL.

Early Recognition in Philadelphia

Coming out of college at the University of Cincinnati, Kelce impressed scouts with his athleticism, toughness, and football IQ. Despite playing at a non-Power 5 school, the Eagles saw Kelce’s potential and selected him in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 191st overall pick. Simply being drafted into the league was an achievement for Kelce and a testament that NFL teams felt he had what it takes to make it at the professional level.

Kelce spent his rookie season backing up veteran Jamaal Jackson but got valuable experience absorbing the playbook and adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. In 2012, he earned the starting center job after Jackson was released. Kelce stepped up and started all 16 games for the Eagles as a second-year player, displaying the skills that made the team confident in him.

While individual stats are not as relevant for an offensive lineman like they are for skill position players, Kelce’s early production and consistency with the Eagles earned him recognition from his coaches and teammates as someone who was growing into the role. He helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for running back LeSean McCoy to rush for over 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2013.

Pro Bowl Regular

Kelce made his first Pro Bowl after the 2014 season, a true marker that he had arrived among the NFL’s best at his position. He was not just a quality starting center anymore but a player who coaches and peers around the league felt was deserving of the honor of representing the NFC in the NFL’s all-star game.

Making the Pro Bowl is an accomplishment that requires not just strong individual play but also staying healthy enough to be available and reliable for one’s team over the course of a full 17-game season. Kelce was able to do both in 2014 while helping the Eagles offense rank 7th in the league in total yards. His Pro Bowl selection established him as a force in the trenches and signaled he was becoming an elite player at a pivotal position.

Kelce would go on to make the Pro Bowl four more times – in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. His consistency in receiving the honor five times total in a seven-year span from 2014-2019 proves that his breakout season was no fluke. Kelce was performing at the highest level season after season and playing at a caliber that coaches and players felt was worthy of Pro Bowl recognition amongst his peers.

All-Pro Validation

While the Pro Bowl is a popular recognition, being named a First-Team All-Pro is the highest individual honor an NFL player can achieve as it signifies one was voted to be the single best player at their position for that given season by the media. Kelce earned this prestigious distinction for the first time in 2017.

The 2017 season was arguably Kelce’s best. He helped anchor an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL (19) while paving the way for league-leading rushing performances from both LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi. Kelce’s stellar play earned him a spot on the prestigious PFWA All-NFL and AP First Team All-Pro squads.

This marked Kelce not just as one of the best centers but the best center in the entire NFL for that season according to the voters who decide postseason honors. It validated that all the Pro Bowl nods were not flukes or popularity contests – Kelce was truly performing at the highest individual level.

Super Bowl Champion

The ultimate team achievement, Kelce was part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ historic Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots in 2018. The Eagles’ 41-33 win was one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history and denied the Patriots another championship.

Kelce played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ playoff run, helping power their offense to victories over the Falcons and Vikings to reach the Super Bowl. Then, on the grandest stage of them all, Kelce led the way for running back Jay Ajayi’s 73 rushing yards and helped keep quarterback Nick Foles upright to complete 28 of 43 passes for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Lifting the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions cemented Kelce’s place in Eagles lore forever. He had grown from a later draft pick into a leader who was integral to delivering Philadelphia its first Super Bowl title. Kelce joined a select fraternity of players who know what it takes to perform at the highest level when the stakes are largest.

Continued Excellence

Rather than rest on past accomplishments, Kelce has continued striving for more. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors again in both 2018 and 2019, showing his 2017 season was no fluke but rather a sign of consistent dominance. Kelce’s play has remained so superb that he has now received a mind-boggling six total First-Team All-Pro selections in just nine eligible seasons, a remarkable feat of sustained greatness.

Kelce made his sixth and most recent Pro Bowl after the 2021 season at age 34, a testament to his conditioning and preparation that have allowed him to defy Father Time. He continues anchoring Philadelphia’s offensive line and proving to be one of the most reliable players in the NFL, having not missed a single game since taking over as the Eagles’ starting center in 2012.

At an age where most linemen have hung up their cleats, Kelce is still performing as one of the best in the game. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors again following the 2022 season. Kelce’s late career success is all the more impressive considering he plays one of the most physically demanding positions that sees frequent battering over the course of a season.

Legacy of Greatness

Stepping back and surveying Jason Kelce’s career accomplishments in totality paints the portrait of a truly great NFL player. From being drafted with potential to developing into a perennial Pro Bowler and multi-time All-Pro, leading the Eagles to Super Bowl glory, and sustaining excellence into his mid-30s, Kelce has grown into one of the best centers in league history.

Kelce’s trophy case includes:

– 6x Pro Bowl (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021)
– 6x First-Team All-Pro (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
– Super Bowl LII Champion

Those accolades tell the story of a player who worked to maximize his talents and become a cornerstone for his franchise. Kelce has proven the measure of a great NFL player is sustained high level performance for an extended period of time. More than just talented, he is one of the most determined and dedicated professionals to ever play his position.

When Jason Kelce decides to hang up his cleats, he will do so having cemented a legacy as one of the greatest centers to ever play. His trophy cabinet overflows with awards that recognize both his individual greatness and key role in team success. Kelce took the opportunity provided by being a late draft pick and molded himself into an all-time great through tremendous effort and leadership. He is the epitome of an NFL player who has given his all and grown into elite status through consistency and dedication to his craft.