- Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL on Press Conference on monday.
- The Philadelphia Eagles center thanked his family and team for their support during his 13-year career.
- Despite wearing glasses, Travis Kelce couldn't hide his emotions during his brother's speech either.
Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL shortly after Press Conference Monday – and it was five seconds into his speech before he started crying.
“Thanks for coming, guys. We'll see how long this lasts,” Kelsey said before emotion got the better of him.
“Not a good start, here we go,” he said after taking a few minutes to compose himself in the video.
The Philadelphia Eagles center gave a 40-minute speech during the conference, in which he thanked everyone around him for their support of him throughout his 13-year career with the team.
Kelce's wife, parents, and younger brother, Travis Kelce, attended the ceremony espn.
Photos show that despite wearing shades, the Kansas City Chiefs couldn't hide his emotions during his brother's speech either.
“We have a small family, no cousins, one aunt, one great-aunt. It's been me and my brother our whole lives,” Kelsey said. “We did almost everything together – we competed, fought, laughed, cried, and learned from each other. We invented games, and imagined ourselves as the star players of the time.”
Kelce added that there was “no chance” he would be where he is today without the bond he shared with his younger brother.
“It made me stronger, tougher, smarter, and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience and understanding,” Kelsey said. “It is very poetic to find my career fulfilled in the city of brotherly love. I knew this relationship well.”
During the speech, Kelsey also thanked his wife, Kylie, for being there for him.
“Every accolade I've ever received came with her in my life. She brought out the best in me through love, dedication, support, honesty, intelligence and of course a quick kick in the ass from time to time.” Kelsey said in the video. “It has also given me three beautiful girls and a life that increasingly brings me more satisfaction off the field than on it.”
Rumors of Kelce's retirement first began circulating in January, after the Eagles' 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
League sources said espn Kelce then informed his teammates in the locker room after the game of his plans to retire. NFL Network Mike Garafolo The news was also published on X.
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