Touching reason Jason Kelce’s ankles were taped for retirement announcement

*Watch Jason Kelce’s retirement announcement in the video above.

(WJW) — Cleveland‘s own Jason Kelce, in an emotional press conference earlier this week, announced he is retiring after 13 years in the NFL.

There was something about that news conference that many may not have noticed: Jason had his ankles taped.

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It’s not uncommon for athletes during a game, but not at a news conference. It turns out there was a very heartwarming reason behind it.

He was taped up by Eagles athletic trainer, Joe O’Pella, the same way he was every day for 13 seasons.

O’Pella is fighting cancer and had to miss Jason’s final game because he was in treatment. He shared a touching story in an Instagram post Tuesday.

“I taped this guy’s ankles and thumbs every day for 13 seasons, and when he played his last game in Tampa, again I couldn’t be there due to cancer,” he wrote. “And when he told me he would be retiring and I expressed my regret of not being the last person to ever tape him, and he offered to have me tape him for his retirement press conference. That’s who he is. And I hope these stories can add to an already unbelievable legacy.”

In his post, O’Pella remembered back to when he first met Jason and when it all began.

“I remember back in Jason’s 2nd year, when he tore his knee, I went to the head trainer and told him that I needed to do his rehab bc he needed to be treated like an athlete, not a conventional offensive lineman. What would occur over the next 12+ years would certainly impact my life in a way I never imagine,” he wrote.

O’Pella said he and his family became very close to him over the years. When he was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo treatment, O’Pella said Jason stepped up.

“He offered his shore house if I needed to get away, and offered to pay for meal services to help my wife and I out, and he called me randomly when I had been home, too sick to come in bc of chemo, just to check on me and chat about random things. That’s who he is as a person,” he wrote.

During his announcement, Jason said he loves football, adding it didn’t matter if it was just in the backyard with his brother or on Friday nights in high school. He went on to thank coaches and other mentors from high school in Cleveland Heights to college, the University of Cincinnati, the Eagles, and the fans.

Jason read the prepared message from his phone during the press conference, which was attended by the Kelce family — brother Travis, Donna ‘Mama Kelce,’ and father Ed Kelce — and multiple members of the Eagles coaching staff.

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He went on to recount various memories from his childhood in Ohio to the final days of his career during the 45-minute press conference. Jason also paid tribute to his wife Kylie Kelce, with whom he shares three daughters, and his parents.

“I don’t know what’s next, but I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await,” he said.

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