Jason Kelce's NFL Retirement Speech Made Everyone Weep—Travis Kelce Included
Nobody is OK.


Jason Kelce has announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (13. Of course.)
Jason made his announcement at NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, with wife Kylie, parents Ed and Donna, and brother Travis Kelce in attendance. All five of them were pictured crying, wiping their tears, or otherwise looking distraught.
Travis, Donna, and Ed Kelce get emotional over Jason Kelce's retirement.
In his speech, the football center credited Travis with his own success in the NFL.
"We have a small family. No cousins, one aunt, one uncle. It was my brother and I our whole lives," Jason explained. "We did almost everything together: competed, fought, laughed, cried, and learned from each other.
"We invented games, imagined ourselves as star players of that time. We envisioned making the winning plays day after day ... We won countless Super Bowls in our minds before ever leaving the house." (As I'm sure you know, Travis won the latest Super Bowl with Jason cheering him on from the stands.)
Travis Kelce won the 2024 Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jason continued, "And when we weren't playing, we were at the other one's games, but seated in a lawn chair or bench, a Capri Sun in our hand that Mom had packed, cheering during the game and waiting outside afterward to celebrate the victory together—or offer encouragement after a defeat.
"There is no chance I'd be here without the bond Travis and I share. It made me stronger, tougher, smarter, and taught me the values of cooperation, loyalty, patience, and understanding. It's only too poetic I found my career being fulfilled in the City of Brotherly Love. I knew that relationship all too well."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Travis Kelce wipes his tears during Jason's retirement, while wearing friendship bracelets in honor of Taylor Swift.
So not only did Jason announce his retirement after Taylor Swift's favorite number 13 seasons, but he also nodded to her lyrics by slipping "all too well" in there, as if the unhinged fans (hello) wouldn't notice. Tut tut.
Speaking of Swift, Travis wore two friendship bracelets in honor of his superstar girlfriend for the press conference. One read "Travis Kelce," and the other read "T <3 T."
Jason Kelce with a beautiful moment talking about the relationship with his brother Says it is fitting he played in the City of Brotherly Love because of the relationship he’s had with Travis #Eagles pic.twitter.com/KcXYAzUQLuMarch 4, 2024
During his emotional retirement announcement, Jason also paid a wonderful tribute to his wife Kylie.
"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. That night, I’d meet my future wife," Jason said, breaking down in tears at this point in his speech.
"I still remember the moment she walked through the door. The first instance is burned in my retina. It was like she glided through the opening, an aura around her. Then she started talking and I thought, 'Man, is this what love feels like?' She was beautiful and smart, serious yet playful. I knew it right away. I think it's no coincidence I have enjoyed my best years of my career with Kylie by my side."
Oh, Jason, you big softie, you. Wishing this large sensitive man a very happy retirement.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
I Left My Favorite Sunglasses in Paris—But Now I Can Test These Trends
From retro cat-eye frames to high-tech transition lenses, there's so much inspiration for my next purchase.
By Sara Holzman Published
-
Michelle Monaghan Feels the Sexiest After an Ironically Utilitarian K-Beauty Shower Ritual
Taking notes.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Meghan Markle Sent a Handwritten Note to a Podcaster Who Said She Was "Scared" for the Royal Before Her Netflix Show Premiered
Mailing a handwritten note to reply to an Instagram comment might be the most Meghan Markle thing of all time.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Donna Kelce Praises Taylor Swift for Her iHeartRadio Awards in the Sweetest Instagram Post
Just sharing a little update about her son's totally normal, non-famous girlfriend.
By Lia Beck Published
-
New Details About When Taylor & Travis Started Dating Emerge From...Wes from 'The Challenge'??
Reality competition legend AND nosy neighbor.
By Lia Beck Published
-
Travis Kelce Just Shared a Life-Changing Decision That Impacts His Relationship With Taylor Swift
"I've got a real bad taste in my mouth."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Just Pulled Off a Secret Date Night Following "Romantic" International Getaway
Grab your passport and her hand.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Travis Kelce Shares How Taylor Swift Lifts Him Up When He's "Depressed"
He feels "So High School."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Travis Kelce's Romance With Taylor Swift "Felt Different" From His Previous Relationships, According to Jason Kelce
"You could tell how much he really, really liked her, right from the get-go."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jason Kelce Says Taylor Swift Made Travis Stop Being So Much Like Peter Pan
Travis Kelce (Taylor's Version).
By Lia Beck Published
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Might Have Just Made Their Biggest Commitment Yet
It's also destroying their house.
By Kristin Contino Published