The email hit the inbox at 2:04 p.m.

Brent Celek is no longer an Eagle.

The Birds released Philadelphia’s longest-tenured athlete after 11 years at Lincoln Financial Field, a run that culminated with the franchise’s first Super Bowl win. The 33-year-old tight end joined the franchise in 2007 and played in 175 regular season games, plus 9 playoff matchups. He missed just one game EVER, finishing his Eagles career with the fourth most total appearances behind only David Akers (188), Brian Dawkins (183) and Harold Carmichael (180).

More from the press release:

During his Eagles career, Celek totaled 398 catches for 4,998 yards and 31 touchdowns, marking the eighth-most receiving yards and 11th-most receiving touchdowns (tied) in Eagles history. He also played in nine postseason contests and added 27 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns. In 2009, Celek recorded career highs in receptions (76), receiving yards (971) and receiving touchdowns (eight). His 971 receiving yards that season are the second-most by a tight end in Eagles history, trailing only Pete Retzlaff’s 1,190 receiving yards in 1965.

Celek was due $5 million this year and this move, combined with Lane Johnson’s contract restructuring, gets the Birds underneath the salary cap without having to cut Vinny Curry or Jason Peters. After losing Trey Burton in free agency, the Eagles have one tight end, Zach Ertz, currently on the roster.

Claude Giroux now becomes Philly’s longest-serving athlete.

I think we’ll do a proper tribute to Celek later this week, but I can say that I personally was very happy to see him go out on top after a wonderful career in Philadelphia.

Thanks, Brent.

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports