Entertainment

Jason Kelce Thanks Wife Kylie for Giving Him ‘Three Beautiful Girls’ as He Announces Retirement from NFL

The Kelces share daughters Wyatt, Bennett, and Elliotte

Jason Kelce is feeling grateful for his family of five as he shared his retirement news.

The Philadelphia Eagles center, 36, announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, taking a minute to thank his family of five, including wife Kylie, 31, in his lengthy goodbye speech.

While addressing his wife, Jason took a minute to thank her for bringing his three daughters — Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 23 months, and Bennett, 12 months — into his life.

“She has also given me three beautiful girls and a life that increasingly brings me more fulfillment off the field than it does on,” he tearfully said during the press conference.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“I am a product of my upbringing. I think one of the best things a person can be in this world is a father. A father who is present, loving, and devoted just might be the greatest gift a child could ask for in our society,” he continued.

In a scene from Kelce — the feature-length Prime Video documentary that follows Jason through the 2022-2023 season — wife Kylie showed that the injuries the NFL star sustains on the field impact his life at home as well.

“I don’t think people realize the beating you’re taking then impacts the way you interact with your family,” she said in a confessional.

Jason played with toddler daughters Elliotte and Wyatt when Kylie told her oldest, who threw herself around as she sang the team’s cheer, that she needed to give her dad a break, “because dad did a lot of hard work yesterday.”

“He’s been telling me for years that he was going to retire and now we are expecting our third daughter,” she added.

 

“I always tell people that no matter what happens with football, how it ends, I would like him to retire when he’s still able to get down on the floor and play with our kids comfortably.”

In February, Kylie and Jason shared photos of their kids’ nursery exclusively with PEOPLE, with the proud mom saying, “Jason is emotionally and mentally present for his girls, and I think that’s so important.”

The NFL player is a very hands-on dad, as seen in another sweet photo where he enjoyed a tea party with Elliotte.

“The memories that we’re creating now are things that we’ll talk about later, the same way our parents tell stories about us now,” the mom of three shared. “We hope that this space allows for the girls to be a good team together.”

 

Related Posts

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas have revealed beautiful wedding day pictures that show they chose the perfect partner.

It’s official, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are married! The couple tied the knot in Jodhpur, India, on Dec. 1 in a Christian ceremony at the Taj Umaid Bhawan…

After having lunch with Nick Jonas on a rooftop in New York City, Priyanka Chopra is beaming.

Priyanka Chopra looked radiant with a bright smile after a rooftop dinner date with husband Nick Jonas in New York City! The famous couple, who often make fans…

Exploring Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ “super supportive” marriage as they celebrate their 12th anniversary.

The couple, who share share four kids, met on the set of 2011’s ‘Green Lantern’ Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively continue to support each other 12 years into their marriage. The…

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s daughter has famous godparents.

One perk of being the child of a celebrity is that you might end up with a very famous godparent. In this case, actor Ryan Reynolds confirms to Deadline that…

Barbra Streisand Reportedly Leaves America After Massive Red Wave Sweeps Red States

In what has become a trending topic on social media, Barbra Streisand, the iconic singer, actress, and vocal political activist, has reportedly packed her bags and left America…

Whoopi Goldberg Defends Claim That Bakery Refused Her Service After Backlash: ‘Seems a Little Odd’

“Somehow they were able to accept an order of a different 48 of the same dessert when somebody else called without using my name,” the ‘View’ co-host claimed….