Jason Kelce explains his retirement speech tank top: Suit and tie ‘wouldn’t feel right’

This outfit is authentically Jason.

Football fans and Swifties alike were moved by Jason Kelce’s tearful retirement speech on Monday, and in Wednesday’s episode of his “New Heights” podcast, the former Philadelphia Eagles center opened up about his emotional day — and the reasoning behind his ultra-casual look.

The newly retired NFL star, 36, sat down with brother Travis Kelce, 34, to discuss his big retirement announcement on their podcast, with both sporting Eagles gear for the rare in-person recording.

Jason Kelce wore a black Eagles tank for his goodbye speech. AP
He broke down in tears during the emotional press conference. AP
The brothers both wore Eagles gear for the podcast recording. New Heights Podcast/YouTube

As they got into the details of his speech, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end — who wore an Homage x Underdog Philadelphia charity T-shirt printed with a photo of his brother on the field — asked Jason to “walk us through that outfit choice.”

“That’s the first choice you got to make,” the Eagles alum said about selecting his look.

“[A] suit and tie … that wouldn’t feel right,” he added, as his brother noted, “it’s not a wedding.”

Jason wore a special green Rolex for his big day. AP
Brother Travis Kelce wore his shades (and some eye-catching friendship bracelets) during the speech. AP
The NFL center said he wore the tank while training during Eagles practices. Getty Images

“I’m wearing a suit and tie when I have to, and that’s about it,” Jason shared, saying that he wondered if he should wear “a Cleveland Heights shirt” or one of his Philadelphia Eagles shirts.

After going through his drawers, the famously casual dresser found the perfect solution.

“This is like a shirt that has holes in it, and I’ve worn in practice and … every year I’ve lifted weights in it,” Jason said, adding that the tank “was a part of this journey with me more than anything else in this closet.”

Jason dressed up for the 2022 NFL Honors show. AP
The NFl center played 13 seasons with the Eagles. AP
Jason wore an old-school Eagles Starter jacket to record his podcast. New Heights Podcast/YouTube

Jason opened up about another sentimental touch on Monday, having asked his trainer, Joe O’Pella — who has been battling cancer — to tape his ankles “one last time,” since he wasn’t able to do that for the Eagles player’s last season.

“So I had ankle tape on with sandals. So yeah, that was what went into, I guess, the attire,” the flip-flop enthusiast — who paired his tank top with a $50,000 green-and-black Rolex — concluded.

As for Travis’ look at the press conference, he sported a color-blocked button-up that had Taylor Swift fans convinced he was repping his girlfriend’s upcoming album, “The Tortured Poets Department.”


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The brothers posed for a selfie at Tuesday’s Cleveland Cavaliers game. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Jason shares three daughters with his wife, Kylie. kykelce/Instagram

The Chiefs star also added another Taylor-themed touch to his ‘fit, wearing a beaded friendship bracelet that spelled out “T ❤️ T.”

The brothers later attended Tuesday’s Cleveland Cavaliers game sporting matching black Cavs shirts … although Jason’s was, fittingly, a tank top.

With plenty of downtime on his hands, we have a feeling Jason will be pulling out his favorite tees more often.