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  6. article_body => "<p>One of the toughest players to wear an Eagles uniform in recent history is hanging it up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Longtime tight end Brent Celek is retiring, according to a report Thursday by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MikeSilver\/status\/1035340740044283904\" target=\"_blank\">NFL Network\u2019s Mike Silver<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Celek, 33, was released by the Birds this offseason and didn\u2019t catch on with another team. The 11-year veteran told Silver he had other offers, but decided to hang up his cleats instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the end, I just couldn\u2019t fathom putting on another uniform,\u201d Celek told Silver. \u201cI had a perfect ending, and it was time.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Celek, who was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round back in 2007, played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Eagles and missed just one game during that span. He missed the game after getting a concussion and couldn\u2019t get cleared for a Thursday game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It was always a point of pride for Celek to play his entire career with the Eagles. Recently, he said he would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/the700level\/brent-celek-would-rather-retire-play-cowboys\" target=\"_blank\">rather retire than play for the hated Cowboys<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Celek finishes his career with 398 career receptions and 4,998 yards. He\u2019ll instead be remembered for being a great pro and a mentor for younger players, including Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Once the team drafted Ertz, Celek took a back seat as a receiver, but never complained. He instead focused on his role as a blocker and a mentor for younger players.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>More on the Eagles<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/lane-johnson-would-be-surprised-if-carson-wentz-doesnt-start-week-1\">Will Wentz start Week 1? 1 player says QB 'looks ready to me'<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/eagles-players-get-their-wish-super-bowl-sign-coming-down-locker-room\">Worried about Super Bowl hangover? This is a great sign<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/roobs-10-observations-eagles-jets-2018-preseason-finale\">Which RBs make it, top concerns, more in Roob's observations<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/the700level\/are-former-cowboys-wide-receiver-dez-bryant-and-eagles-match\">Is it time for the Eagles to give Dez Bryant a call?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/eagles\/eagles-malcolm-jenkins-waits-tunnel-during-national-anthem-3rd-straight-week-preseason-finale-jets\">Jenkins sticks with anthem decision for 3rd straight week<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Eagles

Eagles

One of the toughest players to wear an Eagles uniform in recent history is hanging it up. 

Longtime tight end Brent Celek is retiring, according to a report Thursday by NFL Network’s Mike Silver. 

Celek, 33, was released by the Birds this offseason and didn’t catch on with another team. The 11-year veteran told Silver he had other offers, but decided to hang up his cleats instead. 

“In the end, I just couldn’t fathom putting on another uniform,” Celek told Silver. “I had a perfect ending, and it was time.” 

Celek, who was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round back in 2007, played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Eagles and missed just one game during that span. He missed the game after getting a concussion and couldn’t get cleared for a Thursday game. 

It was always a point of pride for Celek to play his entire career with the Eagles. Recently, he said he would rather retire than play for the hated Cowboys. 

Celek finishes his career with 398 career receptions and 4,998 yards. He’ll instead be remembered for being a great pro and a mentor for younger players, including Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz. 

Once the team drafted Ertz, Celek took a back seat as a receiver, but never complained. He instead focused on his role as a blocker and a mentor for younger players. 

 

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