“I also know how much it means to have mom”: How Jason and Travis Kelce's mom Donna is turning her experience of raising two NFL stars into a mission to bring grandparents closer to youth sports

For Donna Kelce, supporting young athletes is nothing new. She spent years cheering for Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce as they worked towards their football dreams. Now, with both sons established in the NFL and Jason raising four daughters, Donna has found a new way to stay connected to the next generation of young athletes.On May 18, 2026, the mother of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and former Philadelphia Eagles center joined hands with GameChanger for its 'Gran Cave' campaign. The initiative aims to help grandparents follow their grandchildren's sporting journeys, even when they cannot attend games in person.From raising Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce to cheering for another generationDonna understands the commitment that comes with raising children who love sports. Travis and Jason grew up playing several sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey and lacrosse. Both eventually chose football in seventh grade, setting them on a path that would take them to the University of Cincinnati and later the NFL.Jason went on to become a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Travis built his legacy with the Kansas City Chiefs. Donna experienced some unforgettable moments along the way, including Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, when her two sons faced each other in the championship game.However, her connection to youth sports did not end when her sons became professionals. Jason and his wife, Kylie Kelce, now have four daughters: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett and Finnley. Donna, whom the girls call 'DeeDee', has another generation of young family members to cheer for.That experience makes her latest partnership particularly personal. In a statement released by GameChanger on May 18, 2026, Donna spoke about the difficulty of attending every game and the importance of family support."I know firsthand how challenging it is to be at every game in person, and I also know how much it means to have mom or grandma cheering you on from afar," she said.She also explained her excitement about helping another family create a similar experience. "GameChanger makes that connection possible, and I'm so excited to help award one family their own Gran Cave so they can support the most important players in their lives," Donna added in the campaign announcement. How Donna Kelce's Gran Cave campaign is bringing grandparents closer to youth sportsDonna's partnership with GameChanger gives that message a practical purpose. The youth sports platform offers live streaming, allowing family members to follow games even when distance prevents them from watching in person.For the campaign, Donna introduced her own 'Gran Cave', a dedicated sports-viewing space featuring large LCD screens showing youth games. It also included photographs of Travis and Jason from their younger sporting days and a decorated jersey carrying her nickname, 'DeeDee'.The idea goes beyond creating a comfortable place to watch games. GameChanger wants grandparents to remain part of their grandchildren's sporting experiences, particularly when they have several young athletes playing for different teams or living in different states.GameChanger President Sameer Ahuja explained the need for such a setup in the May 18, 2026, campaign announcement."At GameChanger, we believe that every young athlete deserves to have their village watching and supporting them for every moment, near or far," Ahuja said.He also shared the platform's findings, revealing that more than 83% of games streamed on GameChanger had viewers from outside the team's home state. The average game attracted viewers from more than three states."For grandparents, keeping up with multiple grandkids across different teams can be a logistical challenge, but the desire to make every game remains the same," Ahuja added.GameChanger opened nominations for the Gran Cave contest on May 18, 2026, and accepted entries until May 31. One grandparent was set to receive a customised Gran Cave, while 365 others could win first-prize subscriptions.In Donna's case, the partnership brings her journey as a sports mother into her life as a grandmother. She once watched Travis and Jason chase their NFL dreams from the sidelines. Now, she wants more grandparents to enjoy those same special moments with the young athletes in their families, even from miles away.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.