Jason Kelce let Eagles trainer tape him one last time after cancer treatment

Jason Kelce’s final game of his career was incomplete because he didn’t have his significant other by his side. Kelce spent time throughout his career with Eagles trainer Joe Opera, who became a reliable presence not only in the training room but in his life. Kelce and Opera had a relationship as close as any between an athlete and a trainer, but unfortunately, Opera was unable to be by Kelce’s side for the final match.

The longtime trainer had to retire to focus on himself after being diagnosed with cancer. Although this kept him from attending Kelce’s final play, the legendary Eagles center wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to involve Opera in his retirement.

Opera posted a heartfelt message to Kelce on her Instagram page.

When Jason hurt his knee as a sophomore, I went to the head trainer and told him he needed to rehabilitate and treat him like an athlete and not a traditional offensive lineman. I remember that. What will happen over the next 12 years will definitely impact my life in ways I never imagined.

You all know his accomplishments on the field, and he has many accomplishments off the field, but it’s almost indescribable how much this man has meant to me and my now family over the last 10 years. It is indescribable. From Wing Bowl’s “Cornerman,” to an hour-long rehab session followed by a night out on the town, sleeping on each other’s couches, attending each other’s weddings, Sea Isle City’s Polar Bear to a Super Bowl appearance and a ring. We were doing it together there until we jumped in. And in what would be his final season, when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo radiation and chemotherapy, he offered me a beach house and a wife and wife if I needed to escape. Offered to pay for the meal to help me out. And he was there when I was too sick to come over before chemotherapy, just to check on me and talk about my ramblings. Sometimes he would call me randomly. That’s who he is. I had tape on this guy’s ankle and thumb every day for 13 seasons, and when he played his last game in Tampa, I couldn’t be there because of cancer. And when he said he was retiring, I expressed my regret that I couldn’t be the last person to tape him, and he asked me to tape him for his retirement press conference. He gave it to me. That’s him. And we hope these stories will add to an already incredible legacy.

Congratulations to the entire Kelsey family on their Hall of Fame inductees on and off the field.

To Kylie’s husband. Father of Wyatt, Elliott, and Bennett. Eagles center. Congratulations to Philadelphia icon and my brother Jason on your retirement and to the future.i love you

Jason Kelce’s story is not only about his incredible play on the field, but also about never forgetting his roots. Despite being one of the best players ever to play his position, Kelce remained humble. The end of his career in Philadelphia means he always thinks of others and embraces everyone who has helped him along the way, and that their stories are woven into the fabric of his retirement. It was something to prove.

Just an absolute class act.