On Monday, a sobbing Jason Kelce thanked his wife Kylie Kelce for her support during an emotional speech announcing his NFL retirement.

Kelce, 36, announced his retirement plans at a news conference in Philadelphia, which was accompanied by Kylie, 31, his brother Travis Kelce, and his parents Donna and Ed Kelce.

Throughout the 40-minute speech, Jason discussed a number of significant moments from his 13-year professional football career. One of the most significant, he claimed, 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,” said Jason. “That night, I’d meet my future wife.”

Promoted content

Jason burst into tears as he remembered seeing Kylie for the first time.

Kylie McDevitt Kelce, wife of Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce, listens to him speak at an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on Monday, March 4, 2024.

“I still remember the moment she walked through the door,” Jason recalled, choking up as he spoke. “The first instance is etched onto my retina. It seemed as if she slid into the doorway with an aura surrounding her.”

Jason Kelce announces retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL as he struggles through tears.

The seven-time NFL Pro Bowler went on to recall his first discussion with his future wife that evening. “Then she started talking and I thought, man, is this what love feels like?” Jason recalls.

“She was gorgeous, intellectual, serious, and amusing. “I knew it right away,” he explained.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Kelce reacts during an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on Monday, March 4, 2024.

“I think it’s no coincidence I enjoyed the best year of my career with Kylie by my side,” he remarked.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to speed on the best of PEOPLE’s content, from celebrity news to interesting human interest topics.

The pair married in April 2018.

Jason’s career seemed to take off after that, as he made the NFL Pro Bowl in each of his following five seasons. Jason and the Eagles won their only Super Bowl in 2018 and returned to the title game in 2022, but were defeated by his brother Travis and the Chiefs.

Jason Kelce’s family, from left, Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, mother, Donna Kelce, father, Ed Kelce, and wife, Kylie McDevitt Kelce, listen as Jason Kelce announces his retirement at an NFL football press conference in Philadelphia, Monday, March 4, 2024.

During those years, Kylie and Jason welcomed three daughters: Bennett (11 months), Elliotte (2½), and Wyatt (4 years).

“She’s brought the best out of me through love, devotion, support, honesty, intelligence and of course a swift kick in the ass from time to time,” he said. “She has also given me three beautiful girls and a life that increasingly brings me more fulfilment off the pitch than it does on.”

Jason’s retirement comes less than a month after he and his family journeyed to Orlando, Fla., to receive his final NFL Pro Bowl honours.

After his statement on Monday, Jason stepped off stage, hugging Travis and his parents before embracing Kylie.