Eagles' Jason Kelce breaks franchise record for consecutive games started
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has been one of the league's best for years. On Sunday, at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets, the offensive stalwart got his 145th consecutive start.
That is now the Eagles' all-time record, breaking former tackle Jon Runyan's 144-game streak.
Despite this incredible ironman feat, Kelce was less than ready to talk about it prior to today's game. When asked about his incredible streak, Kelce refused to answer any questions. "I’m not talking about it," Kelce told NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I'm not superstitious about much, but I'm not talking about that."
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Does Kelce have the longest active streak in the NFL?
No. That honor belongs to Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews, who has started 150 straight games, all for Atlanta. Matthews hasn't experienced the same levels of success as Kelce, but he was a pivotal part of the 2016 Atlanta Falcons trip to the Super Bowl and also picked up a Pro Bowl nod in 2018.
Who is Jon Runyan, the previous record holder?
Runyan was an offensive tackle for the Eagles from 2000-2008. In those nine seasons with the Eagles, Runyan played and started every game possible. He even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2002. Of course, that comes nowhere close to Kelce's six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro bids, but it's worth noting nonetheless.
Runyan was a tremendously consistent force for those Eagles squads through the 2000s. He was part of the 2005 Eagles team that reached the Super Bowl and almost took down the Greatest Show on Turf in the 2001 NFC Championship Game.
He actually started 192 consecutive games overall, albeit with two teams -- the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans. Even that stretch isn't enough to reach the top-15 longest streaks in NFL history. The NFL record for most consecutive games played, regardless of number of teams, belongs to former Green Bay Packers' quarterback, Brett Favre, who started 297 consecutive games for the Packers, Jets, and Vikings between 1992 and 2010. The record for strictly one team belongs to Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall who started 270 straight games from 1961 to 1979.
Why won't Kelce talk about his streak?
Staying healthy is arguably the toughest thing to do in professional football. If you're an NFL player who has been fortunate enough to stay on the field as long and as consistently as Kelce has, any mention of that good luck is going to be seen as tempting fate.
When do the Eagles play?
Kelce's 145th consecutive start with the Eagles kicks off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 4:25 p.m. ET. You can watch the game on FOX or NFL Network. Interested fans can also stream the game on NFL+ or Fubo TV.
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