Jason Kelce Gets in the Ring at WrestleMania 40 During Surprise Appearance

Mar. 15, 2025

Jason Kelce gets in the ring at WrestleMania 40 on April 6, 2024.Photo:WWE

WWE

Jason Kelcecan now add “wrestler” to his ever-growing résumé.

On Saturday, April 6, therecently retired Philadelphia Eagles playermade a surprise appearance during Rey Mysterio and Andrade’s WrestleMania 40 match against Dominik Mysterio — Rey’s son — and Santos Escobar.

During the lively match, Rey and Andrade got some help from two mysterious masked luchadores, who jumped the ropes to join in the fight.

“Who the hell… look at the size of these guys!” one commentator said during the WWE broadcast.

“Those look like legends to me!” another answered.

One of the men ripped a metal folding chair out of Dominik’s hands, while the other masked man slammed him into the corner of the ring from the outside, and then tossed him into the center the ring. This lined up the perfect finish for Rey, who threw himself on top of Escobar to clinch the win.

After the announcer declared Rey and Andrade the winners, the two masked men revealed their identities — Kelce, 36, and 33-year old Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson.

WrestleMania 40 attendees could be seen going wild for Kelce and Johnson, especially because the two-night event is taking place at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, home of the Eagles.

“So this all brings us here to today, where I announce that I am retiring,” Kelce said through tears, nearly 40 minutes into his lengthy speech. “Where I announce I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and today, I must admit, I am officially overrated, vastly overrated.”

Kelce thanked his coaches, teammates and “cafeteria workers” along the way — too numerous to name, he said — in addition to his wifeKylie, motherDonna, fatherEdand brotherTravis.

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Jason Kelce.Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video

Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Prime Video

The Eagles alum is widelyconsidered to be among the greatest centers in NFL history. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro six times and won one Super Bowl title throughout his accomplished 13-season football career.

Since his retirement, Kelce has been having some fun with his free time. He recentlythrew out the first pitchat a Philadelphia Phillies game against the Atlanta Braves, and PEOPLE reported on March 27 that ESPN was even recruiting the athlete to become a talking head on theMonday Night Footballpanel.

The Athleticwas first to report ESPN’s interest in Kelce. NBC, CBS and Amazon Prime are also trying to land Kelce, per the outlet.

source: people.com