The Match that Made Jason Kelce Famous: The 2018 Super Bowl

While Jason Kelce was already a well-respected center in the NFL before the 2018 Super Bowl, his performance and celebration in that game cemented his place in football history and elevated him to iconic status. For years, Kelce had been the anchor of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, but it was on football’s biggest stage that he truly announced himself to the world. What transpired in Super Bowl LII transformed Kelce from a respected veteran into a beloved Philadelphia legend and one of the most famous centers the league has ever seen.

Dominant Performance

From the opening kickoff, it was clear Kelce was in for a special night. He dominated Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown, who had wrecked havoc in New England’s previous two playoff wins. Brown was unable to get any push up the middle or pressure Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. Meanwhile, Kelce was dictating the tempo of the trenches and creating running lanes for LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi.

Foles later said Kelce “owned” Brown in their individual battle. “Jason just took over that game. He was making all the calls, blocking everybody. I owe a lot to Jason.” Kelce’s ability to neutralize Brown allowed Foles the time and space to pick apart the Patriots secondary. He finished with an eye-popping 373 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in the Eagles’ 41-33 victory.

It was a masterclass in interior offensive line play. Kelce showed textbook technique, leverage, strength and awareness. He slid and redirected seamlessly, never allowing a defender near his quarterback. His performance that night may have been the best ever by a center in Super Bowl history. Kelce graded out at 98% by Pro Football Focus, the highest mark ever recorded by the analytics site for a single game. He was the clear best player on the field.

Memorable Celebration

After the final whistle blew, Kelce was already being hailed as a hero by Eagles fans. But his legend was only beginning to take shape. With the Lombardi Trophy in hand, Kelce took the podium for his victory speech. What followed was pure electricity and passion.

“We all know no one likes us, we don’t care!” Kelce bellowed into the microphone with a smile. The rowdy Philadelphia crowd roared in approval. Kelce went on to thank the fans and city for their support through years of struggles. He called winning the Super Bowl “the greatest feeling in the world.”

The speech was raw, authentic and perfectly captured the underdog spirit of the Eagles. It immediately went viral online and has since been viewed millions of times. Kelce’s charisma, swagger and love for Philadelphia endeared him to fans around the world. He became the face of the franchise and the city’s favorite son overnight. His iconic words are now etched into Philadelphia sports lore.

Legacy Cemented

That one dominant performance and legendary celebration transformed Kelce’s career and legacy forever. Before Super Bowl LII, he was a respected veteran who had quietly anchored the Eagles line for years. But with his masterclass against New England, Kelce announced to the world that he was not just a good center – he was one of the best to ever play the position.

In the years since, Kelce’s reputation has only grown. He has been selected to five straight Pro Bowls from 2018-2022, earning All-Pro honors four times in that span. Pro Football Focus consistently ranks him as the top center in football based on his film grades. Kelce is still going strong at age 34 and remains the cornerstone of Philadelphia’s offense.

His passion and leadership as the longest-tenured Eagle have also made him a beloved locker room presence. Kelce is seen as the heart and soul of the franchise, someone who bleeds green. Fans still chant his iconic “We don’t care!” line at games, a testament to how that one speech defined his legacy in Philly. There is no doubt that Super Bowl LII was the match that took Jason Kelce from very good to immortalized in Philadelphia sports history.

Overcoming Adversity

Kelce’s dominance against New England was all the more impressive considering the injuries he played through to get there. During the 2017 season, Kelce tore his labrum, a major shoulder injury that typically sidelines players for months. But he gutted it out and started every game, playing through excruciating pain just to help his team.

In the playoffs leading up to the Super Bowl, Kelce aggravated the injury even further. He received multiple cortisone shots just to be able to take the field. Yet on the biggest stage, he was never hampered and put forth arguably the best performance of his career. Kelce’s toughness resonated with fans and cemented his status as a warrior for Philadelphia. His dedication to battling through injury showed Eagles Nation that no pain or adversity would ever keep him from giving his all.

Team Success

While Kelce’s individual dominance against New England grabbed headlines, it’s important to remember the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory was the culmination of years of development and perseverance by the entire franchise. For much of the 2010s, Philadelphia was mired in mediocrity and playoff disappointments. Kelce had anchored some solid lines but never had the talent around him to truly contend for a title.

That all changed in 2017 when the Eagles made a series of bold moves. They traded up to draft quarterback Carson Wentz, signed free agents like Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, and brought in Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson. Under Pederson’s leadership and with a healthy roster, the Eagles surged to an 11-2 start before injuries derailed their season.

Still, they fought their way back to the Super Bowl behind backup Foles. The championship was validation for the front office’s strategy and all the hard work by players and coaches. While Kelce shined brightest on that February night, he was quick to deflect credit to his teammates for helping make their dreams a reality. His selflessness only added to his likability. Winning the Super Bowl together strengthened the bond between Kelce and the city of Philadelphia.

Media Attention

It’s no exaggeration to say Kelce’s Super Bowl performance and speech took his fame nationwide. In the aftermath, he made appearances on talk shows like Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live to discuss the game. Kelce’s charismatic personality and willingness to poke fun at himself made him a natural on camera. His interviews kept the Eagles’ story in the national conversation for weeks.

Kelce also became a darling of sports media. Writers and talking heads across various platforms lauded his grit, leadership and on-field excellence. Some even argued he deserved Super Bowl MVP over Foles thanks to his dominance up front. Kelce’s profile grew exponentially from respected veteran to bonafide celebrity.

Magazine covers, commercial deals and endorsement opportunities followed. Kelce embraced it all with his trademark smile and humor. Five years later, he remains one of the most recognizable NFL players, in no small part due to how that Super Bowl victory amplified his stardom on a national stage. The combination of talent, personality and platform made Kelce a household name.

Conclusion

While Jason Kelce had cemented himself as a pillar of the Eagles franchise before Super Bowl LII, that one game changed his legacy forever. With a dominant performance that neutralized one of the best defensive players in football, Kelce announced to the world that he was not just good – he was great. Then his iconic postgame speech captured the hearts of Philadelphia and launched Kelce into superstardom.

Since that night, Kelce has only added to his reputation as arguably the best center of his generation. He continues going to battle for his city with passion, toughness and excellence at age 34. Kelce’s place in Eagles history was sealed not just by statistics but also intangibles like leadership. There is no doubt that Super Bowl LII, with his on-field heroics and off-field celebration, was the match that truly made Jason Kelce famous on a global scale. He went from respected veteran to Philadelphia legend and one of the most recognizable names in the sport.