As Kelce breaks the record for most consecutive regular-season starts by an Eagles player, Jon Runyan understands the mindset and toughness required for NFL longevity.
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce stands on the field before the Philadelphia Eagles game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Still, Runyan would be hurting during the game as he jogged up to the line of scrimmage, put his hand in the dirt, and squatted low. The moment the ball was snapped, however, the pain vanished for a few seconds until the referee blew the play dead. Then, the pain came right back and the cycle repeated.
“You’re going to beat the crap out of your body on a daily basis,” Runyan said. “I was fortunate to play as long as I did and, frankly, lucky to not have a catastrophic injury that was actually gonna cost me time.”In the interest of self-preservation as he aged into the twilight of his career, Runyan said he learned how to conserve his energy on certain plays so he could go all-out on others. He couldn’t throw his body around with abandon as he did when he first entered the league.
But when asked if he has had to adapt his game throughout the course of his 13-year career, Kelce said he didn’t know. He did acknowledge that with older age comes a more intricate plan designed by the Eagles strength and sports science departments to get his body ready for each game. Backup right guard Sua Opeta, who started his first game of the season alongside Kelce against the Rams, said that Kelce’s “relentless effort” on the field is a quality that he tries to emulate.
In the film, he revealed that he considered retirement last season. He can’t play without taking heavy anti-inflammatory medication. He played throughout the season with a torn ligament in his ankle. He’s fearful of the prospect of having chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the potentially negative long-term impact it could have on his life and his loved ones.
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