ESPN’s Adam Schefter — Who Famously Jumped the Gun on Reporting Tom Brady’s Retirement — May Have Done it Again
In his quest to be the first one to a scoop, ESPN insider Adam Schefter seems to have prematurely reported the retirement of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
During the Eagles’ playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kelce was visibly emotional on the sideline. For the last few years, the 36-year-old has contemplated retirement at the end of each season. To many, the sight of him shedding tears at the end of the game was a sign that this would finally be the year.
The next morning, Schefter confirmed that belief when he reported Kelce told his team he was retiring.
Six-time All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame center Jason Kelce told his Eagles’ teammates in Monday night’s postgame locker room that he is in fact retiring, per league sources.
The 36-year-old Kelce became visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers. He… pic.twitter.com/GofAAlFtUd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2024
Throughout the day, the internet was filled with tributes to Kelce, who has already cemented himself as one of the greatest to ever play the position. Although Kelce had yet to make a statement himself, everyone expected him to elaborate on his decision on the next episode of his New Heights podcast.
On Wednesday’s episode, however, he did the exact opposite and claimed he’s yet to make a decision.
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose,” Kelce said, “despite what’s been leaked to the media, but, you know, I think there’s a lot of — people can kind of feel body language and stuff.
“I just don’t think you’re in a position, after a game like that, to really make that decision. I just don’t. There’s too much emotion in the moment. There’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out. I’m really not. It’s just something that I think when it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had.”
If this situation sounds familiar, it’s because Schefter’s done it before. In February 2022, the insider announced the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady. It came just a few minutes before Brady himself made the announcement.
Tom Brady officially announced his retirement.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2022
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2022
Not long after, Brady decided to return for one more season. It’s been theorized on the internet that he came back primarily because Schefter upstaged his announcement to retire.
