Kylie Kelce is ‘proud’ to be Jason Kelce’s wife after her retirement
Kylie Kelce couldn’t be more proud of husband Jason Kelce – on and off the field.
“I’m pulling this out of the archives to congratulate this man on his retirement,” Kylie, 31, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, March 7. “Your accolade over 13 years of career is a direct result of your hard work, determination and resilience. I am extremely proud to be your wife and can’t wait to see what you do next. As always, the girls and I will be there to cheer you on every step of the way! 💚.”
In addition to her tribute, Kylie posted a sweet photo of her and Jason, 36, after the 2018 Super Bowl, where his team, the Philadelphia Eagles, defeated the New England Patriots. Kylie smiled at the camera as Jason excitedly threw his arms up next to Eagles mascot Swoop.
Jason announced his retirement plans earlier this week after his 13-year stint as center for the Eagles. During his emotional 40-minute press conference, the NFL star thanked his brother Travis Kelcemom Donna Kelce and father Ed Kelce. He also gave a sweet shout out to his wife, recounting the night they first met.
Jason Kelce swiped right and found love with Kylie Kelce — even if their first date got off to a rocky start. “[I] definitely fell asleep,” the Philadelphia Eagles athlete recalled on his “New Heights” podcast in September 2023. “I got a little too drunk, but I was sober enough to know that was the most. […]
“I won’t forget the Eagles Christmas party in 2014 and then going to Buffalo Billiards with some of my teammates, where my life would change forever,” he recalls. ‘That evening I was going to meet my future wife. I still remember the moment she walked through the door.”
He continued, “It was like she was sliding through the opening, an aura around her. Then she started talking and I was like, ‘Man, is this what love feels like?’ She was beautiful and smart, serious yet playful. I knew immediately.”
Kylie and Jason started dating in 2015 after their now-famous meeting at the bar. Three years later, they married and welcomed their first child, daughter Wyatt Elizabeth, in October 2019. Daughters Elliotte Ray and Bennett joined the family in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
After Jason’s heartfelt speech, Kylie shared NBC Philadelphia that her husband gave her “way too much credit” for their meeting, calling it a “very, very sweet” gesture. She also thanked fans for the “outpouring of love and support” their family has received since the news was announced.
“[It’s] expected because I know who my husband is and the way he has behaved and how that has affected people’s lives,” she said. “But at the same time, it’s still shocking.”
Kylie also noted that Jason worked on “multiple drafts” of his farewell speech over the past four years before arriving at the final draft. “This was a completely different version,” she explained. “I think he started from scratch every year with what was on the surface. But when he says that he has been thinking about retirement for years, he means that he has been thinking about it for years.”
Speculation that Jason would hang up his cleats started in January when the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, forcing them out of the playoffs. After becoming visibly emotional following the loss, Jason reportedly informed his teammates of his decision, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Jason later addressed the rumors during an episode of his “New Heights” podcast, assuring fans that when he was ready to announce his official retirement, he would do it the right way.
Jason Kelce has been a regular part of the Philadelphia Eagles offense for more than a decade, but he was realistic about the idea of retirement before officially stepping down in March 2024. Kelce was drafted in 2011 and became the first rookie in Eagles history to start all 16 regular season games at center. He […]
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose… but people can sense body language and stuff,” he explained. “I just don’t think after a match like that you’re really in a position to really make that decision, I just don’t. There is too much emotion in the moment, too much happening in that moment to really fully understand that decision.”
Kylie, meanwhile, shared during an appearance on Good Morning America in January that she would continue to support Jason no matter what he ultimately decided to do.
“I think it would be unhealthy to always ask, ‘What if? What if I continued? What if I played another season? ” she said. “I think whatever he does, he will be successful.”