Jason Kelce
Encyclopedia
Kelce ran the fastest 40-yard dash time of all offensive lineman at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine, with a 4.89-second time. He had an appendectomy on March 11 after he was diagnosed with appendicitis
.
in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft
. Kelce was unable to practice or sign a contract until the NFL lockout
was lifted on July 25, 2011. He was signed to a four-year contract on July 27. Kelce battled incumbent starter Jamaal Jackson
for the center job early in training camp in August. New offensive line coach Howard Mudd
envisioned Kelce as in the mold of Indianapolis Colts
five-time Pro Bowl
center Jeff Saturday
, whom Mudd coached in Indianapolis for eleven seasons. First round pick and fellow rookie Danny Watkins
compared Kelce to a hedgehog due to his spiky hair and facial hair, in addition to his quickness and stoutness. Kelce received all of the first-team reps in the week before the team's third preseason game. He started in the third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns
, and allowed a sack and was penalized for holding. Despite his performance, Kelce was named the starter for the season on August 29.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
.
Philadelphia Eagles
Kelce was selected by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. Kelce was unable to practice or sign a contract until the NFL lockout
2011 NFL lockout
The 2011 National Football League lockout was a lockout that lasted from March 11 to July 25. It occurred primarily during the offseason for 18 weeks and 4 days...
was lifted on July 25, 2011. He was signed to a four-year contract on July 27. Kelce battled incumbent starter Jamaal Jackson
Jamaal Jackson
Jamaal Jackson is an American football offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
for the center job early in training camp in August. New offensive line coach Howard Mudd
Howard Mudd
Howard Edward Mudd is an American football offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League and a former offensive lineman in the NFL. From 1998–2009, he was the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts...
envisioned Kelce as in the mold of Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
five-time Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
center Jeff Saturday
Jeff Saturday
Jeffrey Bryant Saturday is an American football center for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football at North Carolina. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Football League Players' Association.-Early years:Saturday attended...
, whom Mudd coached in Indianapolis for eleven seasons. First round pick and fellow rookie Danny Watkins
Danny Watkins
Watkins invited five of his friends from the West Kelowna fire department to join him at the draft. On the morning of the draft, Watkins and his firefighter friends visited a New York City firehouse that lost several members during the September 11 attacks....
compared Kelce to a hedgehog due to his spiky hair and facial hair, in addition to his quickness and stoutness. Kelce received all of the first-team reps in the week before the team's third preseason game. He started in the third preseason game against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and allowed a sack and was penalized for holding. Despite his performance, Kelce was named the starter for the season on August 29.