By Julia Train
Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant, located on Shore Road in Somers Point, is planning to honor beloved and recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
Although Kelce has publicly talked about retirement numerous times over the past several years, his final decision wasn’t known to fans until Monday, March 4.
After Kelce announced his retirement in an emotional, almost hour-long press conference, Charlie’s quickly took to its Instagram the same day. The bar announced that it would be celebrating “Jason Kelce 6-2 Day” all day and night on Sunday, June 2, with beer specials, food specials, and giveaways.
For those who don’t know, Kelce has had the same jersey number 62 for the entirety of his 13-year NFL career as a center for the Eagles. On the calendar, June is the sixth month of the year, so it’s only fitting that the day of the event, June 2, matches his number.”
Along with the specials, giveaways and shirt sales, the bar will be putting Kelce’s jersey “into the Charlie’s rafters forever.”
The bar’s owners bought a jersey to frame and be hung with the rest of its memorabilia around the establishment.
Followers posted comments, with people tagging Kelce’s account and others expressing their sadness for the player’s departure or excitement for the event.
Although the celebration is still developing, Jim and Jeff Thomas, Charlie’s co-owners, are working with sponsors and promotions through local radio station 98.7 The Coast. They’re planning on raising money for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which Kelce is highly involved in, and working on logistics.
The 36-year-old NFL star was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the draft in 2011 after playing college football for the University of Cincinnati. Throughout his time on the team, Kelce has also become a well-known and loved Philadelphia personality and podcast host, alongside his brother Travis, who’s a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
When asked about what it means to him to celebrate the now former player, Jeff Thomas said, “He’s one of the most beloved Eagles players within the past 20 years. He’s down to earth. He’s one of us.”
