There weren't many dry eyes in the house. Stan Petrov was addressing supporters inside Celtic Park after his charity match on Sunday and it all became too much.
'You've made today special for me, my family and for all these players. Thank you very much,' Petrov - in remission from acute leukaemia - said.
Glasgow erupted. 'You'll Never Walk Alone' blasted out aptly. Petrov's sons ran to the pitch for a family embrace. That set Stan off: he wept in the arms of his wife Paulina as those in the stands passionately cheered one of the most likeable men in football.
It was an almost indescribable 10 minutes after the final whistle. Nobody left. Nobody wanted to.
The former Aston Villa midfielder was deservingly the star of the show. The match between a #19 Legends side and a team of Celtic heroes was a huge success for him and his charity.
The emotion started early on. When the clock hit the 19th minute - his squad number - the entire sell-out crowd stood up as one to show their appreciation for the 34-year-old.
'I said I wouldn't cry but I couldn't hold it. It was an absolute privilege,' he told BT Sport. 'I'm just happy to see my family every day.
The Bulgarian stood in the centre circle, waved at the crowd and pinched between his eyes to hold back the tears.
Villa supporters have a ritual of clapping for 60 seconds in the 19th minute, but Petrov was still overcome with emotion.
'It is just great. I nearly started crying but I held it. I was in a dark place a year-and-a-half ago,' he said.
'They have always been brilliant to me. It's been amazing. Today I'm here with all these friends and the Celtic family. It's incredible.'
After the time Petrov has endured, it was only fitting that those closest to him within the game were there to shown an outpouring of support for one of football's most humble individuals.
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