On Monday, a sobbing Jason Kelce thanked his wife Kylie Kelce for her support during an emotional statement announcing his NFL retirement. Kelce, 36, revealed his retirement plans at a news conference in Philadelphia, which was accompanied by Kylie, 31, his brother Travis Kelce, and his parents Donna and Ed Kelce.

Throughout the 40-minute speech, Jason discussed a number of significant occasions from his 13-year professional football career. One of the most significant, he claimed, was meeting Kylie at a 2014 Philadelphia Eagles Christmas party.

“I won’t forget the Eagles Christmas party in 2014 and heading out afterwards with a bunch of my teammates to Buffalo Billiards where my life would change forever,” Jason said. “That night, I’d meet my future wife.” Jason broke down into tears as he recalled laying eyes on Kylie for the very first time.

“I still remember the moment she walked through the door,” Jason said, choking up as he continued to speak. “The first instance is burned in my retina. It was like she glided through the opening, an aura around her.”

The seven-time NFL Pro Bowler went on to remember his first conversation with his future wife that night. “Then she started talking and I thought, man, is this what love feels like?” Jason recalled.

“She was beautiful, smart, serious, yet playful. I knew it right away,” he said.
“I think it’s no coincidence I enjoyed the best year of my career with Kylie by my side,” Jason said. The couple married in April 2018.

Jason’s career seemed to take off after that, as he made the NFL Pro Bowl in each of his following five seasons. Jason and the Eagles won their only Super Bowl in 2018 and returned to the title game in 2022, but were defeated by his brother Travis and the Chiefs. During those years, Kylie and Jason welcomed three daughters: Bennett (11 months), Elliotte (2½), and Wyatt (4 years).

“She’s brought the best out of me through love, devotion, support, honesty, intelligence and of course a swift kick in the ass from time to time,” Jason said. “She has also given me three beautiful girls and a life that increasingly brings me more fulfillment off the field than it does on.”

Jason’s retirement comes less than a month after he and his family journeyed to Orlando, Fla., to receive his final NFL Pro Bowl honors. After his statement on Monday, Jason stepped off stage, hugging Travis and his parents before embracing Kylie.