Introduction
Laila Edwards, the 21-year-old ice hockey star, is set to make history as the first Black woman on the U.S. women’s team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Ahead of her debut, she shared how the Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason, are helping her family travel to the Games.
At a Glance
- Laila Edwards becomes the first Black woman on Team USA’s hockey roster.
- Travis and Jason Kelce donate to her GoFundMe, covering family travel.
- Both athletes hail from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and share a hometown bond.
- Why it matters: Their generosity lifts a historic athlete’s Olympic journey.
Hometown Heroes Step Up
Travis Kelce, 36, and Jason Kelce, 38, first praised Edwards on a November 2023 episode of their New Heights podcast. “When I first made the national team, they shouted me out on their podcast for being the first Black woman to play on team,” she told News Of Los Angeles. The brothers’ shout-out sparked a social-media exchange that turned into a supportive conversation.
> “I thought, ‘I’ll just message them, thanking them, they’ll never see it,'” Edwards recalled. “And then Travis and I had a full conversation over DM, and that was super cool… he was a really down-to-earth, humble guy who was super supportive and had really good things to say.”
The Kelces followed up with a tangible gift: a donation to Edwards’ family GoFundMe. “They’ve helped out with my family’s GoFundMe to go over there and support me,” she said. “My family put up a GoFundMe, and [Travis] donated… he’s been in touch a little bit on how else he can help.”
Kelce Brothers’ Generosity
Edwards highlighted the brothers’ continued support. She added, “They’re really good people, too, outside of their athletic abilities.”
- Travel and lodging: The donation covers flights and hotels for Edwards’ family to attend the Olympics.
- Ongoing communication: Travis has kept in touch about additional ways to assist.
- Public acknowledgment: Edwards publicly thanked the Kelces in interviews and on social media.
The Kelces’ involvement extends beyond money. Jason’s wife, Kylie Kelce, has been tapped by NBC and YouTube to create content at the Olympics, increasing the family’s visibility and giving Edwards a potential meeting in Italy.
Family Support and Sacrifices
Edwards credited her parents-Robert Edwards and Charone Gray-Edwards-for the foundation that made her Olympic dream possible. “Whether that was time, money… they are the reason I’m here,” she told News Of Los Angeles.
> “The tournaments I went to get exposure to get better, those cost a lot of money. We would probably be very well off if I didn’t play hockey.”
She described the financial burden of the sport: “Ice is expensive… you got to pay for a coach, the equipment. I can’t even put into words how much money they’ve put into this and left work early to take me to a game, take me to practice.”
Beyond money, Edwards praised the emotional support: “And not only that, but they’ve also mentally supported me and loved me and took care of me throughout this crazy journey and I can’t thank them enough.”
She concluded that her parents and siblings are her biggest supporters: “I think I literally don’t know what I would do without them.”
Looking Ahead to Milan
Edwards expressed excitement about meeting the Kelce crew in person. “Travis was saying that Jason and Kylie are big fans of mine, and I’m hoping to meet them all in Italy,” she shared.
She also reflected on her hometown: “I love my hometown. I think it’s one of a kind. It’s super diverse, and the community is just so strong there.” Edwards emphasized the sense of belonging that shaped her: “That sense of belonging you have in our community has always taught me to make sure everyone feels like they belong.”
In closing, she thanked her community: “I owe my community a thanks for that.”
Key Takeaways
- Laila Edwards is breaking barriers as the first Black woman on Team USA’s hockey team.
- The Kelce brothers’ donation removes a major barrier for her family’s travel to the Olympics.
- Edwards’ success is rooted in strong family and community support.
- The story highlights how local heroes can lift a historic athlete’s journey to the world stage.
