The longtime Philadelphia Eagles player said his life “changed forever” when he met his wife after a team Christmas party in 2014

PHOTO: KYLIE KELCE/INSTAGRAM
A tearful Jason Kelce thanked his wife Kylie Kelce for her support on Monday during an emotional speech announcing his retirement from the NFL.

Kelce, 36, announced his plans to retire during a press conference in Philadelphia attended by Kylie, 31, his brother Travis Kelce, and his parents Donna and Ed Kelce.

Throughout the 40-minute speech, Jason recalled a number of pivotal moments from throughout his 13-year professional football career. One of the most important, he said, 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.

Kylie Kelce.AP PHOTO/MATT ROURKE
” “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.”

Jason Kelce Announces Retirement After 13 Seasons in NFL as He Struggles Through Tears.m

“She was beautiful, smart, serious, yet playful. I knew it right away,” he said.m

Jason Kelce.AP PHOTO/MATT ROURKE
“I think it’s no coincidence I enjoyed the best year of my career with Kylie by my side,” Jason said.

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The couple got married in April 2018.

From then onward, Jason’s career appeared revitalized as he made the NFL Pro Bowl each of his final five seasons. Jason and the Eagles won their only Super Bowl in 2018 and made the championship again in 2022, when the team fell short to his brother Travis and the Kansas City Chiefs.

AP PHOTO/MATT ROURKE
During those years, Kylie and Jason welcomed three daughters together: Bennett, 11 months, Elliotte, 2½, and Wyatt, 4.

“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 flew to Orlando, Fla., where he was honored at the NFL Pro Bowl for a final time.

After his speech Monday, Jason walked off the stage and hugged Travis and his parents before embracing Kylie.