When Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce announced his retirement Tuesday his ankles were taped as if he was preparing for one more game, and there is a very sweet reason why.
Joe O'Pella has been part of the Eagles' athletic training staff since he was an intern in 2008. Now the associate athletic trainer, he's part of the team that takes care of the players on a daily basis.
O'Pella was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and was unable to attend the Eagles' final game of the season — their wild-card round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — due to his illness.