Eagles’ Kelce Named All-Pro

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Jason Kelce was honored as the NFL's best center for a third time on Friday.

The veteran is just the eighth player in Eagles history to be named All-Pro three different times, this time far outpacing Oakland center Rodney Hudson with 29 votes from the 50-person panel to nine for Husdon.

"Jason Kelce epitomizes what this team is all about,” coach Doug Pederson said before practice on Friday. “I could spend this entire press conference talking about what he means to this team and what he means to me."

Only Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White (six All-Pro teams), Steve Van Buren and Pete Pihos (five) and Brian Dawkins and Al Wistert (four) have more All-Pro honors for the Eagles than Kelce and all are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the exception of Wistert, who is a seniors finalist for induction this year.

Another Hall of Famer, Bob Brown, as well as former tight end Keith Jackson, like Kelce are three-time all-pros for Philadelphia.

"Obviously whenever you're recognized for stuff like that it's nice," Kelce conceded. "I think that you try to remain grounded."

Always a team player Kelce lauded his linemates, Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson, calling Brooks the "best offensive linemen in football" and Johnson the "best tackle."

Brooks was an All-Pro snub, making neither the first- or second-teams. He and Johnson would have been third-team selections by the voting.

“That’s disrespectful," rookie interior lineman Nate Herbig said of Brooks' absence. "All I know is I’m in the O-Line room and the guy never gets coached. He’s in the NFL and never gets beat.”

The only other Eagles players receiving voted for the All-Pro team were defenders Fletcher Cox and Malcolm Jenkins.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen