Jason Kelce Tearfully Remembers Moment He Met Wife Kylie in NFL Retirement Speech: ‘An Aura Around Her’

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

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.

“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.