The Eagles published a video containing Jason Kelce praising team members for their years of dedication after he announced his retirement. Upon closer inspection, an odd item was visible in that video: Kelce had bandaged his ankles, just like he would for a game. As it happened, the ankle video revealed a unique bond between Kelce and a team trainer.
On social media, Eagles trainer Joe O’Pella claimed to have taped Kelce’s ankles each and every game for a number of years. However, O’Pella was receiving chemotherapy, so he was unable to attend Kelce’s final game of his career, the playoff loss in Tampa.
The biggest thank you of 'em all! pic.twitter.com/gm0FUKwTEB
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 6, 2024
Jason Kelce’s subtle tribute to O’Pella
Thus, before Kelce gave his farewell speech, he asked O’Pella to be the final Eagle to tape his ankles. O’Pella wrote :
“You all know about the on-field accomplishments, and many of the off-field ones, too, but what this man has meant to me and now my family over the past decade plus is nearly indescribable,” “In what would be his final season, when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo radiation and chemo, he offered his shore house if I needed to get away, and offered to pay for meal services to help my wife and me out, and he called me randomly when I had been home, too sick to come in because of chemo, just to check on me and chat about random things. That’s who he is as a person. I taped this guy’s ankles and thumbs everyday for 13 seasons, and when he played his last game in Tampa, again I couldn’t be there due to cancer. And when he told me he would be retiring and I expressed my regret of not being the last person to ever tape him, he offered to have me tape him for his retirement press conference. That’s who he is. And I hope theses stories can add to an already unbelievable legacy.”
Kelce thanks the Eagles staff in the video that shows him speaking. He said,
“Thank you so much for everything that everyone in here does and means to this organization, to the players,” “It’s been an honor to work with all of you.”