Eagles Center Jason Kelce Offers Advice to Ben Simmons About Saga

Veteran Eagles center Jason Kelce offered a piece of advice to 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons on Thursday.

When asked about the relationship between Philadelphia fans and its professional athletes, Kelce said, "I tell guys, you write your own narrative. I don't want to crush any other players, but what's going on with the 76ers, Ben Simmons, stuff like that, all of that is because of a lack of accountability, a lack of owning up to mistakes and a lack of correcting things.

"If all that got corrected, if you're fixing free throws, if you're getting better as a player, none of this is happening. So everybody can b---- and complain about how tough this city is to play in. Just play better, man. This city will love you."

On Thursday, Simmons reportedly showed up to, and departed, the team's practice facility without taking part in a previously scheduled individual workout.

Earlier this week, he was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team after being thrown out of a practice

 After missing the first two weeks of training camp, Simmons returned last week, but has reportedly ignored 76ers staff and engaged more with the team's G League coaches than his own when at team practices.

Simmons has not yet addressed reporters following his return to the organization.

Both coach Doc Rivers and team president Daryl Morey confirmed to reporters that Simmons requested a trade this offseason following a disappointing playoff performance. 

Kelce, a three-time Pro Bowler, has spent each of his 11 NFL seasons with the Eagles, becoming one of the leaders of the organization. 

"Everybody's going to get crushed at some point, everybody is going to go through a downturn and be struggling, and at all times this city is going to keep you accountable for doing your job and performing," he said. 

"But if you stick to it and you fight through it and you get better, they'll respect the hell out of you. Even if you're struggling and you're fighting and you're trying, they're still going to respect you. That's what I think most guys miss. I really don't think this is a hard place to play at all."