Donna Kelce, mother of NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce, revealed that she and her ex-husband, Ed, stayed together for their sons despite their own marital issues. They believed it was crucial to provide a stable home environment for the budding athletes.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, has shed light on her decision to remain married to her ex-husband, Ed, while their sons were growing up. Speaking on Martha Stewart's podcast, Donna opened up about their unconventional arrangement.
"It was after the kids were out of college," Donna explained. "Ed and I, we worked together as a team. It's very, very difficult to raise children on your own. And with as active as they were, how do you do that on your own? So, we decided that we would be married throughout the entire time that the kids were in the house, and that's the way it worked out."
Ed Kelce echoed his ex-wife's sentiment in the Prime Video documentary "Kelce." "If we had split as we probably both would have preferred, that would have been a nightmare with the logistics, getting kids where they had to be and providing all the support," he said.
Donna and Ed met at a bar in Ohio while she was on her way to a date with someone else. However, she never made it to that date, as she struck up a conversation with Ed and they talked for hours.
Despite their eventual divorce, Donna and Ed remain close friends and have been supportive of their sons' NFL careers. During the lead-up to the 2023 Super Bowl, where the Kelce brothers faced off for the first time, Donna became a household name for her split jersey, which featured half Chiefs and half Eagles colors.
"It was a surreal experience," Donna said of the Super Bowl. "I couldn't believe that both of my boys were playing on the biggest stage in football. I was so proud of them."
Jason Kelce retired earlier this year after 13 seasons with the Eagles, while Travis Kelce remains a key player for the Chiefs and recently signed a new two-year contract worth $34.25 million.
Donna Kelce's story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices parents make for their children. They put their own needs aside to create a stable and loving environment for their sons, allowing them to pursue their dreams of becoming professional athletes.
