Travis and Jason Kelce quietly donated $10,000 to help turn a $50,000 Olympic fundraiser into a family reunion in Milan

Earlier this year, Travis and Jason Kelce made a quiet contribution that helped make a special Olympic moment possible for U.S. hockey star Laila Edwards. The brothers donated $10,000 to a fundraiser that helped bring Edwards’ family and friends to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Their support came after her family faced a difficult choice between watching her Olympic debut and covering everyday household expenses. Edwards went on to help Team USA win gold, creating a moment her family could celebrate together.Travis and Jason Kelce helped Laila Edwards’ family reach MilanEdwards’ Olympic journey was already historic before she stepped onto the ice. The 22-year-old became the first Black American to win an Olympic medal in women’s ice hockey after Team USA defeated Canada in the gold-medal game.But getting her loved ones to Italy was not easy.Edwards’ father, Robert Edwards, launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Send Laila’s Family to the Olympics to Cheer Her On!” with a $50,000 target. The goal was designed to help the family avoid choosing between Olympic travel and essential bills at home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.The Kelce brothers, who also grew up in Cleveland Heights, had followed Edwards’ career since she became the first Black player to make the U.S. senior women’s national team in 2023. They later supported her through an anonymous $10,000 donation.The contribution helped make the trip possible for 14 people, including Edwards’ parents, grandmother, aunt, cousin and older brother.The family had initially been able to afford travel for only two people.“We had to start talking about how to get money,” her mother Charone Gray-Edwards said, according to the Associated Press. “Who would go? How would we afford it?”Travis Kelce supported Laila Edwards before Olympic goldThe Chiefs tight end’s support extended beyond the financial contribution. Travis also reached out to Edwards before her Olympic debut, offering encouragement as she prepared for the biggest stage of her young career.“He was just saying, everyone’s got my back. He’s rooting for me,” she said, per the AP. “They didn’t have to do that, but they did. And I’m really grateful.”Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, were also in the stands for the gold-medal game, giving Edwards a familiar connection to her hometown while she represented the United States.Edwards made an impact on the ice, recording an assist during the gold-medal victory. Team USA eventually defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime, securing only the third Olympic gold medal in U.S. women’s hockey history.For Edwards, the victory was more than a sporting achievement. Her family had made the long journey to Milan, and the Kelce brothers had quietly helped make that possible. Their involvement added another meaningful layer to an already historic Olympic chapter.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.