Emotional Jason Kelce chokes up live on ESPN after tribute to Eagles star's heroic grandfather

Veterans Day is typically a celebration of America’s military service members and not strictly aimed at honoring those heroes who were killed in action.

But ahead of the Monday Night Football showdown between the Green Bay Packers and visiting Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN analyst Jason Kelce managed to do both in a touching segment about the grandfather a former teammate.

Third-year Eagles guard Tyler Steen happens to be the grandson of Sgt. Rodney M. Davis, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1967 after jumping on a grenade in Vietnam to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.

‘He saved five other soldiers on that day,’ a tearful Kelce said following the segment. ‘Those soldiers went on to have kids.’

Stopping to regather himself, Kelce continued: ‘Probably 50 people [are] alive today because of that decision.’

A father to four young daughters, Kelce spoke about the sacrifice Davis made as a platoon guide with with Company B, First Battalion in the First Marine Division on September 6, 1967.

‘He did that, leaving behind a two-year-old little girl… You know, as Veteran’s Day approaches, it’s a reminder the sacrifice that a lot of people put out there every day so we can sit at this desk and enjoy this game,’ Kelce continued after getting a pat on the back from co-host, Marcus Spears.

‘It’s truly a remarkable story about a very selfless man. Tyler Steen gets to honor him and his entire family tonight. It’s a testament to their whole family.’

Then-president Richard Nixon released a citation for Davis as the Marine was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

‘Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small arms and mortar fire, Sergeant Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy,’ read the citation.

‘When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sergeant Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion.

‘Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sergeant Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.’

Davis was survived by his wife, Judy, and two daughters, Nichola Davis and Samantha J. Davis-Steen, who later gave birth to Tyler. It was Judy who would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor from Vice President Spiro Agnew.

The younger Steen spent one season with Kelce in Philadelphia before the latter’s retirement. This season the 25-year-old has emerged as a solid starter at right guard alongside legendary tackle Lane Johnson.

The segment on Davis came just a few hours before Veterans Days. The NFL traditionally uses the month of November to highlight its year-round 'Salute To Service' campaign. 

However, this year, the ongoing government shutdown prevented any Pentagon-sponsored participation in NFL events, such as flyover with military aircraft. 

But that didn't stop President Donald Trump from flying over Sunday's Washington Commanders-Detroit Lions game in Air Force One.  

Furthermore, as reported by The Washington Post, Tri-State Warbird Museum in Ohio conducted an impressive flyover with a restored B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft to honor service members at a recent game between the Cincinnati Bengals and visiting Chicago Bears.

'One of the principal missions for the organization is to support veterans of all conflicts,' museum president David O'Maley told The Post. 'They had a different flyover scheduled, and we stepped in for the Salute to Service.'

Similarly, veterans have been honored at various other NFL stadiums so far this month, albeit without the participation of the Pentagon.