By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Unfortunately for Eagles fans, the first sign didn’t work.
Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant had placed a “Don’t Retire” sign in the storefront in February urging Jason Kelce not to end his illustrious career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Although he is disappointed with the Pro-Bowl and All-Pro center’s announcement last week that he is retiring, Mike’s Seafood owner Mike Monichetti is letting Kelce know just how much he is loved by his fans by unveiling another sign at the Sea Isle City restaurant.
“Kelce … Thanks for the Memories,” the sign says from “The Crew @ Mike’s Seafood.”
It also proclaims, “You’re the Greatest Eagle Ever!”
The new sign will be on display in the front window of Mike’s Seafood at 4222 Park Road, in the heart of Sea Isle’s historic Fish Alley neighborhood.
The first sign urging Kelce not to retire also expressed admiration for the Eagles fan favorite.
“Don’t Retire,” it said bluntly.
It added, “We Love You 62,” referring to Kelce’s jersey number.
Kelce has roots in Sea Isle. He owns a vacation home in the resort with his wife, Kylie.
Now that Kelce has decided to retire, Monichetti said he is “very disappointed” and “heartbroken.”
“I’ve been a season ticketholder for 46 years. As a season ticketholder for 46 years, no one has come along who’s captured the Eagles spirit as much as Jason Kelce,” Monichetti said in an interview Friday.
The admiration is mutual. Kelce, who owns a vacation home in Sea Isle, praised Monichetti for the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism he organizes each February to raise money for autism support groups, special services schools and families of special needs children.
“Mike is the man. They’ve been doing a lot of things for the autism cause and raising money and awareness for a long time, far preceding us, in Sea Isle City in particular,” Kelce said on his highly rated “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Travis, the star tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Monichetti said he appreciated having the autism fundraiser being mentioned by the Kelce brothers.
“I think it’s so awesome that two future Hall-of-Famers recognized the work that the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism has done over the last 17 years – that they recognize the passion we have and for recognizing my family and vocalizing my heart’s message to all of their followers,” Monichetti said.
Click on the following link to view the Jason and Travis Kelce podcast mentioning the Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4LrdlTMfhF/?igsh=MmZkeDNua3VqMWo=
Monichetti and his wife, Jeannie, have four children, including two who have autism, Kara, 23, and Michael Jr., 21. Having autistic children and knowing the challenges that parents with autistic children face on a daily basis served as their inspiration for starting the fundraiser in 2009.
Jason Kelce made a surprise appearance during the Mike’s Seafood autism fundraiser on Feb. 17 by running in the 5K race. His fans were waiting for him at the finish line – their cellphones ready. Dozens shot video and snapped photos that were splashed all over social media shortly after Kelce completed his run on the oceanfront Promenade and then walked home to his vacation house in Sea Isle.
Promoting autism awareness has also been a major effort by Kelce. For three years in a row, he has appeared as a celebrity bartender at the Ocean Drive bar and sister property O’Donnell’s Pour House in Sea Isle to raise money for his “Team 62” campaign. Team 62 is part of the Eagles Autism Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation.
One of the inspirations for Kelce’s Team 62 is the fundraiser for autism awareness organized by Mike and Jeannie Monichetti.
During the 2023 autism awareness fundraiser in Sea Isle, Kelce brought along teammates Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Dallas Goedert, Landon Dickerson and Jake Elliot, as well as former Eagles Connor Barwin, Trent Cole and Todd Herremans. Travis Kelce was another celebrity guest. Hundreds of Eagles fans attended the event.
