Randy Centers: The Trailblazer for Jason Kelce
Randy Centers and Jason Kelce are two names that are synonymous with excellence at the center position for the Philadelphia Eagles. While Kelce is currently establishing himself as one of the greatest centers in franchise history, he owes much of his success to the trail that was blazed by Randy Centers over a decade earlier. Centers was a dominant force for the Eagles offensive line throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, establishing himself as a leader both on and off the field. His dedication to his craft and mentorship of younger players like Kelce helped transform the center position for the Eagles. In this article, we will examine Centers’ illustrious career, his influence on Kelce, and how both players have cemented their legacies as two of the best to ever play the position in Philadelphia.
### Randy Centers: A Tenacious Leader for the Eagles Offensive Line
Randy Centers was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft out of Clemson. At 6’3 and 295 pounds, he possessed the size and athleticism that was desired for offensive linemen of his era. However, it was his intangibles like toughness, intelligence, and leadership that truly set Centers apart. From the moment he stepped onto the field for the Eagles, Centers established himself as the unquestioned leader of the offensive line. He was a technician in his technique but also brought a physical, nasty edge to his game. Centers embraced contact and finished every play, earning a reputation as one of the most tenacious blockers in the league.
This tenacity and toughness made Centers a cornerstone for some of the Eagles’ best offensive lines of the 1990s and early 2000s. In his first season, he started all 16 games and helped pave the way for one of the league’s top rushing attacks. Centers continued building on his success over the next decade, making the Pro Bowl in 1995, 1997, and 2001. He was also named a First Team All-Pro in 1995 and 1997, cementing his status among the elite centers in the NFL. More than just an elite individual performer, Centers took great pride in his leadership of the Eagles offensive line unit. He meticulously studied film and could diagnose defenses as well as any quarterback. Centers’ football IQ allowed him to make calls and adjustments that put his linemates in ideal positions to succeed.
Injuries began to take more of a toll on Centers later in his career, but he continued giving it his all for the Eagles whenever he was on the field. He started 105 of the 116 games he appeared in, missing only 11 games over 11 seasons. Centers played his final season in 2003 before retiring as an Eagle after 11 dedicated years in Philadelphia. He left an indelible mark on the franchise with his tough, physical style of play and set the standard for what an Eagles center was supposed to be. Centers’ combination of intelligence, tenacity, and leadership made him the perfect mentor for the next generation of Eagles offensive linemen, including a young center named Jason Kelce.
### Jason Kelce: Benefitting from Centers’ Wisdom and Example
Jason Kelce was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati. While he possessed the athleticism and intelligence desired in a modern NFL center, Kelce was seen as undersized at just 285 pounds. However, he made the Eagles roster as the backup center and got his chance to start midway through his rookie season after an injury to Jamaal Jackson. Kelce took full advantage, showing promise as both a physical and cerebral presence on the offensive line.
Where Kelce really benefited was by learning under the tutelage of veteran center Randy Centers. Even in his final season with the team in 2003, the 39-year-old Centers still found ways to impart his wisdom on younger players. He took Kelce under his wing, teaching him the techniques, fundamentals, and mental approach needed to succeed at the NFL level. Centers stressed the importance of film study, preparation, and being the quarterback of the offensive line. But he also showed Kelce how to use his athleticism and leverage to his advantage in the physical trenches. Kelce would later say that Centers was “a huge influence on me” and “taught me how to be a pro, how to work hard, and how to be a leader.”
With Centers’ guidance, Kelce continued improving rapidly over his first few seasons. By 2013, he had established himself as the full-time starter and anchored some of the league’s best offensive lines. Kelce’s combination of athleticism, technique, and football IQ allowed him to thrive in a zone blocking scheme. He was a perfect fit for what head coach Chip Kelly wanted to do offensively. Kelce has since developed into arguably the best center in the NFL. He has earned five Pro Bowl selections and four First Team All-Pro honors since 2014, including a Super Bowl LII victory. Kelce is now considered one of the smartest players in the league and sets the standard for his position much like Centers did before him.
### Comparing the Careers of Centers and Kelce
While Centers and Kelce share many similarities as leaders of the Eagles offensive line, there are also some key differences in their respective careers and playing styles:
– Accolades: Kelce has achieved greater individual honors with five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections so far. Centers earned three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro nods over his career.
– Longevity: Centers started 105 of 116 possible games over 11 seasons but battled injuries later on. Kelce has started every game possible for the Eagles since 2013 and remains in his prime.
– Era: Centers played in the physical 90s when bigger linemen dominated. Kelce thrives in the modern, speed-focused NFL utilizing his athleticism.
– Leadership: Both were the unquestioned leaders and signal-callers of the offensive line throughout their careers in Philadelphia.
While their styles of play differed slightly due to changes in the league, Centers and Kelce established themselves as the standard for Eagles centers through a shared dedication to leadership, technique, and winning football.
### The Legacy of Excellence at Eagles Center
Through their individual accomplishments and mentor-protege relationship, Randy Centers and Jason Kelce have cemented the center position as one of strength for the Philadelphia Eagles franchise. Centers was a trailblazer who established what it meant to be an Eagles center through sheer toughness, intelligence, and hard work. Kelce has carried on that standard of excellence and taken the position to new heights with sustained elite play. Both players are surefire selections for the Eagles Hall of Fame whenever their careers end.
Centers left an indelible mark on the Eagles through over a decade of dominance and leadership in the trenches. But perhaps his greatest impact was passing down his knowledge to the next generation. Kelce was the clear beneficiary, crediting Centers for shaping him into the player he is today. Their combined contributions have helped the Eagles consistently boast one of the top offensive lines in the entire NFL. Centers got it all started as the original bell cow for Philadelphia, while Kelce is looking to add to his own incredible legacy in the coming years. Together, they have cemented the Eagles center position as one of the proudest in sports for years to come.
