Thinking back to his first Super Bowl appearance, Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce has a hard time fighting tears, but he’s still able to slip a joke out where he sees fit.

The 2017 NFL season was an emotional run for an Eagles organization that hadn’t reached the pinnacle of pro football just yet. Week after week, the Eagles looked like the best team in the NFL, but they couldn’t avoid frequent injuries to key players. When the star quarterback Carson Wentz went down late into an MVP campaign, the outsiders lost all confidence in the 2017 Eagles.

Despite having a first-round bye in the playoffs, the Eagles entered their first playoff game that year as underdogs. It would become the theme of their postseason, helping the team rally as they were hungry to finish what they started.

Reflecting on the meaning of the underdog rally for ESPN’s 30 for 30: The Philly Special, Kelce got emotional.

“I always think that the underdog is when the outsider has perceived that you have lesser value, but you know you’re worth more than what…. That’s what the underdog spirit is, that’s what this city is, and that’s what that team was,” Kelce said with tears in his eyes.

The legendary center, who is close with his brother Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, recalls playing football with his sibling outside organized sports. Being from Ohio, the two brothers grew up as Cleveland Browns fans. Admittedly, Kelce had a hard time thinking he would experience a Super Bowl from any unique perspective.

“You think about being in the snow with your brother and envisioning one day playing in that game, and you’re wearing a Browns jersey, and you’re like, ‘That’s never gonna [expletive] happen,’” Kelce said while bursting out in laughter.

Fortunately for Kelce, he got to experience a Super Bowl victory in a way that most don’t. He helped the Eagles defeat the New England Patriots in 2017-2018, bringing Philadelphia its first Lombardi trophy. It wasn’t with the Browns, who are still on the hunt for their first Super Bowl, well after Kelce’s snow days, but it certainly doesn’t mean less.

Kelce retired from his 13-year career and was immediately recognized as an Eagles legend. Maybe he’s still rooting for the Browns to win one deep down, but they are facing a fresh start in 2026 with a new coaching staff. It could take some time for them to get on a winning track.

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