The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated former quarterback Nick Foles, who recently announced his retirement with the team that he famously led to its inaugural Super Bowl victory.
Foles, 35, signed a contract to retire as an Eagle and will take on the role of honorary captain for the upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons.
On Monday evening, Foles addressed the media and his family, delivering an emotional speech reflecting on his entire NFL journey and his time with the Eagles.
He started his speech by noting that he entered the retirement press conference feeling “calm, cool and collected.” However, the mood shifted when former Eagle Jason Kelce unexpectedly involved him in a pregame surprise.
“I received a text from Jason Kelce inviting me to join him at Countdown. He was wearing a dog mask,” Foles recalled. “Before I knew it, we were on stage at Xfinity Live with dog masks, getting the crowd excited.”
Foles expressed deep appreciation for his time with the city and the Eagles. “There was something special about wearing midnight green,” he shared. “I always felt a unique connection with this city and this stadium.”
He became a Philadelphia icon when he took over for the injured Carson Wentz during the 2017 season and guided the Eagles to a remarkable Super Bowl victory.
“I was destined to play here and I am incredibly thankful to have been a part of these teams and the history here,” Foles remarked. “Playing here has made me a better person.”
Reflecting on the significance of the Super Bowl win, Foles, who was named MVP of Super Bowl LII, stated, “Winning that Super Bowl and doing it against the odds meant so much to the city. It resonates with Philadelphia so strongly, and it always will.”
This marks Foles’ second stint with the Eagles, where he began his NFL career after being drafted in the third round in 2012.
“To conclude my career this way is truly meaningful,” Foles said.
After playing last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Foles mentioned that Monday would be his first time attending an NFL game as a fan rather than a player.
“I’ve always dreamed of running out of that tunnel one more time, feeling the energy of the crowd, supporting the Eagles—it’s a different team each season—and I can only imagine what the emotions will be,” Foles added.