PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Hammond stood five years ago in the auditorium of the Eagles practice facility, invited at the end of a team meeting to speak about the franchise’s new charitable foundation. She had been recently hired to start the Eagles Autism Foundation and needed some help. She needed the players — not just the quarterback, but everyone — to buy in. Finally, a hand went up. It was Jason Kelce.
Sunday could be the final home game of Kelce’s career as his playing days seem numbered. He flirted with retirement last season and said last week that he’s weighing his future “one day at a time.” If this is it, Kelce will be remembered as an all-time Eagle: a sixth-round pick who became a Hall of Fame-caliber lineman and an integral part of the team’s first Super Bowl victory.
But for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which has raised nearly $20 million since launching in 2018, Kelce will be remembered for raising the hand.
