Jason Kelce, former Philadelphia Eagles player, has officially announced his retirement. The press conference held for the announcement was filled with emotion, sweet anecdotes, and gratitude for his fans, teammates, and family, who have been by his side throughout his 13-year career.
In a deeply moving press conference, former NFL star Jason Kelce, at the age of 36, announced his retirement, marking the end of an illustrious career with the Philadelphia Eagles. The event, attended by fans, teammates, and media, quickly turned emotional as Kelce fought back tears, humorously noting that crying right after he had thanked everyone for being there was not getting the conference off to a good start.
Kelce's heartfelt address reminisced about the unforgettable moments of his career, notably a 2014 Christmas party followed by a night out at Buffalo Billiards that changed his life forever. It was there he met Kylie Kelce, the woman who would become his wife and the love of his life.
Kelce vividly recounted the moment she entered the room, an image he says is "burned in [his] retina," and how she had an aura around her that made her seemingly glide into the room. When she spoke, it made him question if this was what love felt like. Describing Kylie as "beautiful, smart, serious yet playful," Kelce credited her as the cornerstone of his best years both professionally and personally.
"I think it's not a coincidence I have enjoyed the best years of my career with Kylie by my side," he shared, attributing his achievements and happiness to her unwavering support and love. Their story, beginning on Tinder and leading to a family with three daughters, is not just a personal triumph but a testament to modern love and partnership in the face of the demanding world of professional sports.
Kelce one humorously reminisced about their initial connection on the dating platform on his podcast with his brother Travis Kelce. He shared what he recalled from his Tinder profile and his wife quickly shut down his recount, saying that he did not have the photo or caption that he was describing on his profile.
Throughout the conference, Kelce reflected on his career with a mix of pride and humility. Joking about being "officially overrated" and fondly remembering his journey from being perceived as an underdog to proving doubters wrong, Kelce's narrative was one of determination, hard work, and the relentless pursuit of the American Dream.
He shared that he wished he was still the underdog as he loved proving people wrong and joked that his mother always said the way to get him to do something was to tell him he couldn't. His gratitude towards Philadelphia, the city that embraced him and allowed him to fulfill his dream of playing his entire career in one city, was palpable as he said:
"Thank you, Philadelphia. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me represent this city and allowing me into your homes every Sunday. It has truly been a privilege. You have all been so good to me and my family."
As he concluded his speech and stepped off the stage, Kelce shared a poignant moment with Kylie as they shared a hug, embodying the support and love that has characterized their relationship. Sarah Alderman, their wedding photographer, encapsulated their bond perfectly, stating, "I couldn’t pick a better couple. I work with couples all the time, and you can tell when people are a good match. These two are good for each other on every level." Kylie is also a sportsman, who plays field hockey, making her an excellent match for Kelce.
Kelce admitted that he did not know what was next for him, but that he was excited to see what opportunities lay ahead and knew that he was taking with him all the knowledge he had accumulated during his years in the NFL. He then signed off with, "That's all I got."
