The 13-year NFL veteran announced his decision to hang up his cleats in a tearful speech on Monday. Jason Kelce is certain about his retirement.

On Wednesday, the former Philadelphia Eagles center who officially announced his decision to retire from the NFL in a 40-minute-long speech on Monday, offered more insight into the emotional experience on the latest episode of his and his brother Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast.

Admitting it was “hard to come to grips with the finality” of his decision, Jason, 36, said of his tearful speech, “I was hoping I’d said it enough times that I wouldn’t cry as much I did. I think it’s good to show emotion through it. I mean I was sobbing before I even started!” he laughed.

Travis, 34, then asked his brother, “Who helped you the most in deciding all this? What was the biggest influence helping you?” to which Jason responded, “Me. And I think that’s how I knew. In previous years I would reach out to other guys like, ‘Hey, how do you know when you want to stop playing?’ ”

“The reality was, it was more firm than it’s ever been this year that I just don’t think physically I can compete at the level I want to anymore and really compete the way I want to,” he continued, adding, “You know my elbow and my knees…”

“It’s just gotten to the point where the deterioration and recovery from that deterioration hasn’t really manifested on game day yet but I know it’s going to start doing that and I’d really rather not,” the professional athlete explained. “I’m hard on myself, and if I go out there and I’m not the player I want to be it will crush me. So I’m very confident in the decision I’ve made. I know it’s time. I’ve had a really good run. But that’s the biggest reason why.”

In his Prime documentary that debuted last year, the toll that the game was taking on his health — and the effect it was having on his young family — was a running theme. The Eagles mainstay and his wife Kylie Kelce share three daughters: Wyatt, 4, Elliotte. 3, and Bennett, 1.

Jason also shared on the podcast that his decision had been “a long time coming” and revealed he had been mulling over whether to retire “for the last few seasons.”

“It was nerve-wracking getting to that day,” he continued of the day he announced his decision publicly. “But a lot of the things that I said and I shared are things I wanted to share for a long time and you wait for the moment where it feels right to do it.

A lot of those things were notes I’ve compiled throughout my career. I like to take notes on my phone so it’s in one place. It felt good to finally get it out there in some ways, and in other ways, it’s still hard and it hurts.” After a “disappointing” end to the Eagles’ season, which concluded when they lost a wild-card playoff game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32-9, on Jan. 15, Jason’s decision was seemingly etched on his face after the game.

During the final play, Jason embraced his longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Then, the father-of-three choked back tears and searched for his family, including Kylie and dad Ed Kelce in the stands.

Who is richer, Travis Kelce or Taylor Swift? Compare the assets of the goldeп coυple iп the Americaп eпtertaiпmeпt iпdυstry

The NFL has seen many power couples emerge over the years, but perhaps none as prominent as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

Kelce, a two-time Super Bowl champion, along with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has become a household name among football fans. He plays a crucial role for the Chiefs in their games.

As for Swift, she’s arguably even more famous than Kelce. Joining the entertainment industry at the age of 15, the pop music sensation has become one of the most influential and successful artists in the world, winning numerous awards throughout her career.

So, who are Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift dating? Let’s delve into the lives of this golden couple of American entertainment.

Travis Kelce’s Net Worth

According to Yahoo Finance, Kelce has an estimated net worth of around $30 million—a significant sum for a football player. Much of his wealth comes from playing professionally. However, in recent years, the NFL star has expanded his income through endorsement deals. In 2023 alone, Kelce was the face of advertising campaigns for DirecTV, State Farm, Pfizer, and several other brands. Additionally, the “New Heights” podcast, co-hosted by Kelce and his brother Jason, has garnered enthusiastic support from fans, further boosting his profile and financial standing.

As a prominent figure, Kelce’s net worth is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years.

Travis Kelce’s Contract

Kelce is currently in the second year of his four-year contract extension worth $57.25 million with the Chiefs. His average annual salary of $14.31 million ranks fourth on the list of highest-paid tight ends. Additionally, his total guaranteed money amounts to $22.75 million, ranking twelfth overall.

With the accomplishments and achievements he has attained, Kelce’s salary is currently perceived as low. He shared with Vanity Fair: “My logic tells me that I am being paid low and why I do not go to meet with the team leaders to resolve this issue. However, I have reasons to explain why I am not looking for a salary increase.

I am currently enjoying the winning atmosphere at the Chiefs, and honestly, I love it here. I am not leaving the Chiefs because the salary offered here is higher, even though there have been cases of former teammates – like Tyreek leaving the team and earning up to $30 million a year, which is 2 to 3 times my current salary.”

Travis Kelce’s Net Worth

According to Spotrac.com, Kelce’s net worth from his sports career is approximately $77 million, meaning he earns an average of $7 million per season over the total of 11 seasons he has spent with the Chiefs.

Travis Kelce’s Annual Net Worth Statistics

Kelce is set to increase his career earnings to over $100 million once his current contract, including all bonuses and incentives, expires in 2025. But even if he were to retire before then, Kelce would still be one of the most successful and highest-earning NFL players.

Taylor Swift’s Net Worth

While Kelce has amassed considerable wealth and financial stability, compared to Swift, his net worth appears modest.

According to Forbes, the pop music star born in 1989 has an estimated net worth of around $1.1 billion, significantly boosted by the success of her “Eras Tour” – bringing in approximately $190 million in revenue alone.

Moreover, the singer-songwriter has sold over 100 million records worldwide, becoming the most-streamed artist in Spotify history. Additionally, Taylor Swift has won 12 Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades over her two-decade career in the music industry.

Not only in the US or Europe but also worldwide, tickets to her concerts or memorabilia items are highly sought after. The pop star is at the peak of her career with a catalog of music assets valued at around $500 million.

Earnings and Career Net Worth of Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift does not receive a fixed salary from any particular company. Furthermore, her annual income varies depending on revenue from album releases, live performances, or other activities.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Swift earns approximately $150 million annually, far exceeding the total earnings Kelce has accumulated throughout his career with the Chiefs. As of 2022, Forbes estimates the music star’s income at about $92 million.

Regardless of the comparison, it’s evident that Taylor Swift has a significantly higher net worth than Kelce, even substantially so.