Jessie James Decker on Husband Eric Decker’s Retirement From Football: ‘I Cried’

Eric Decker announced his retirement from football earlier this week, and his wife — country artist Jessie James Decker — has bittersweet feelings.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him and his decision,” she writes on Instagram alongside a photo of herself and her now-husband taken in 2011 — the first football season they shared together as a couple.

"I cried, smiled and ultimately respected his choice to finish this chapter to start another," she says.

And while it remains to be seen what the next adventure just might be for Eric Decker, one thing is for sure: retirement will help free up time for him to spend more time with his three children, who have grown up only knowing their dad as a professional football player.

“I loved every minute cheering him on in the stands, meeting amazing friends along the way, bringing our new babies and toddlers to the games as they chanted 'daddy football daddy football' in the car on the way the stadium each Sunday," Jessie recalls. "From training camps lugging the babies in the wagons and seeing them run to you on the practice field to get that 30 minutes a day to see daddy. I have loved every moment of the last seven years watching my husband kick some serious ass!"

Throughout his NFL career, Decker played on the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans, most recently joining the New England Patriots during the recent offseason.

"This has been a passion inside of me since I was a little boy but I know now it is time to hang my helmet up and start a new chapter in my life," Eric Decker writes on his own Instagram page after announcing his retirement. "I look forward to the future and the many adventures ahead!"

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