On Monday, a sobbing Jason Kelce thanked his wife Kylie Kelce for her support during an emotional speech announcing his NFL retirement.

Kelce, 36, announced 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 moments 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,” said Jason. “That night, I’d meet my future wife.”

Jason burst into tears as he remembered seeing Kylie for the first time.

Kylie McDevitt Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce, listens to him speak at an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on Monday, March 4, 2024.

“I still remember the moment she walked through the door,” Jason recalled, choking up as he spoke. “The first instance is etched onto my retina. It seemed as if she slid into the doorway with an aura surrounding her.”

Jason Kelce announces retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL as he struggles through tears.

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

“She was gorgeous, intellectual, serious, and amusing. “I knew it right away,” he explained.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce reacts during an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on Monday, March 4, 2024.

“I think it’s no coincidence I enjoyed the best year of my career with Kylie by my side,” he remarked.

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The pair 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.

Jason Kelce’s family, from left, Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, mother, Donna Kelce, father, Ed Kelce, and wife, Kylie McDevitt Kelce, listen as Jason Kelce announces his retirement at an NFL football press conference in Philadelphia, Monday, March 4, 2024.

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,” he said. “She has also given me three beautiful girls and a life that increasingly brings me more fulfilment off the pitch 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 honours.

After his statement on Monday, Jason stepped off stage, hugging Travis and his parents before embracing Kylie.

Breaking news: “Revealed: The Reason Behind Travis Kelce’s Absence from Taylor Swift’s Singapore Concert”

Revealed: Reason Why Travis Kelce Was Missing From Taylor Swift’s Singapore Concert

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Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are known for their unwavering support for each other, with Swift often attending Kelce’s football games and Kelce flying out to her concerts around the world. However, even this power couple couldn’t make it work to be together in Singapore where Swift is currently performing on her tour.

Despite Swift’s performances in Singapore, Kelce chose to stay in the States for an important family event. His older brother, Jason Kelce, announced his retirement from the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles in an emotional press conference. Travis, along with their parents, attended the event, and he was visibly moved, even wearing a friendship bracelet with Swift’s initials to keep her close in spirit.

Jason Kelce spoke emotionally about the bond he shares with Travis, crediting it for shaping him into who he is today. Travis also spent time in Swift’s hometown over the weekend, attending a fundraiser with his brother in Philadelphia to support cancer survivors.

Swift’s tour in Singapore will wrap up soon, and after a break, she’ll kick off the European leg of her tour in Paris on May 9. In the meantime, fans can look forward to her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which is set to release on April 19. During her show in Singapore, Swift even made light of the humidity affecting her hair, joking with the audience about her natural curls returning.