Donald, widely recognized as one of the most dominant defensive linemen of his era and a future Pro Football Hall of Famer like Kelce, expressed on the “Green Light” podcast with Chris Long that few opposing linemen posed the challenges Kelce did.

“I detested facing Philly,” Donald remarked. “Kelce, with his agile speed, always dashed full-throttle — snapping the ball and immediately charging.”

Despite making eight All-Pro teams and registering sacks against nearly every team in his decade-long career, Donald struggled against the New York Jets (whom he faced twice) and the Eagles, who limited him to one tackle for loss and six quarterback hits in five encounters. Kelce played a crucial role in neutralizing Donald’s impact, as the Pittsburgh native disclosed.

“I’d tell him, ‘Hey, you’ve got some talented guards. Let them handle it. You don’t have to assist them every time,'” Donald recounted. “But he’d respond, ‘We won’t let you spoil the game.'”

Out of the five matchups between Donald’s Rams and Kelce’s Eagles, Philadelphia emerged victorious in four — potentially contributing to Donald’s lingering resentment. However, Donald made it clear that he respected Kelce for accomplishing what few other linemen could: impeding his progress. Ultimately, both men earned Super Bowl triumphs and enjoyed illustrious careers, providing ample reasons for celebration despite their opposing roles on the field.