Laila Edwards’ Dad Thanks Kelce Brothers For Unforgettable Olympic Expertise

Hometown heroes serving to hometown heroes … that’s precisely what went down for Laila Edwards’ gold medal run.

Earlier than she lit it up for Staff USA in Milan, Laila’s dad, Robert Edwards, launched a GoFundMe with a $50,000 purpose — hoping they wouldn’t have to decide on between airfare to Italy and paying the electrical invoice again house in Cleveland Heights.

And as we beforehand informed you, the largest donation got here from Jason and Travis Kelce — to the tune of $10k.

“It was a significant amount of money and it definitely boosted us,” Robert tells TMZ Sports activities. “But more than that, it just felt good that they cared enough to support us and to help Laila.”

Robert says having household within the constructing for the Video games made the whole expertise go “beyond expectations.” They’d a journey occasion of roughly 12 individuals who made the journey to help Edwards.

“We’re very pleased and overwhelmed and humbled by their support and by their interest,” Robert stated. “We observe them as folks and we love them and every part they stand for. And we’re hoping that they’ll really feel the identical method about us and Laila.”

There was even a fast Milan meetup … Robert noticed Jason and referred to as out to him — at first, the NFL legend thought he was simply one other fan. Then got here the reveal: “I’m Laila’s dad.”

That flipped the swap.

“He opened up. He said he was very proud,” Robert recalled. The 2 shook palms earlier than getting again to the sport — Staff USA had enterprise to deal with.

The help didn’t cease on the donation, both. Jason and Kylie Kelce had been within the stands for the semifinal and gold medal wins. Laila additionally appeared on Kylie’s “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, gifting the couple Staff USA jerseys.

And whereas Travis was stateside watching with Taylor Swift, he saved it playful on this week’s “New Heights” podcast … joking he’s obtained “two banners” hanging within the Cleveland Heights rink after Laila teased she could be town’s finest athlete.

Nonetheless, he tipped his cap to Edwards, the primary black lady to play for the U.S. ladies’s senior nationwide staff.

“I’ll let you have it because you’re the only one to have gold.”

For Robert, all of it comes again to the hometown bond.

“The community takes pride in the Kelces. They take pride in Laila,” he stated. “Having them together was great for everybody.”