Team USA hockey player Laila Edwards got some words of encouragement from two other Cleveland Heights hometown heroes before the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Edwards, 22, who hails from the same Ohio town as Travis and Jason Kelce, revealed how the brothers have shown their support for the American star.
“I’ve not met them in person, but they’ve shouted me out on their podcast a few times,” Edwards exclusively told Us Weekly. “I’ve conversed with Travis via DM. They’re really cool.”
When Edwards made the United States national team in 2023, Travis, 36, and Jason, 38, congratulated her on their mega-popular “New Heights” podcast.
Behind-the-Scenes on Team USA’s Dramatic Journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics
“They’re really great guys,” Edwards added. “They are incredible athletes, as everyone knows, but I’ve gotten to see who they are as people.”
In addition to their support on the podcast and social media, the Kelce brothers buoyed Edwards financially by donating $10,000 to a GoFundMe page that was organized to help get Edwards’ family to Italy for the Olympics.
The GoFundMe raised over $60,000, which afforded the Edwards family to bring up to 14 family members to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
“Oh my goodness,” Laila’s mother, Charone Gray-Edwards, told the Associated Press in a story published on Monday, February 2. “I was going to find words to describe the gratitude and appreciation. But I haven’t yet.”
Team USA kicked off their quest for gold against Czechia on Thursday, February 5.
When the puck dropped, Laila became the first Black player in history to represent the United States in women’s hockey.
“To me, it means the world,” Laila told Us of the distinction. “It’s what I do things for now. It’s the way I carry myself, and it’s what motivates me to be the best player I can be. But more importantly, the best person and role model. I think that’s super, super important. To see someone at that level is great, but I want them to see me succeed and be a great person and teammate.”
Laila is currently a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin, which means her time in Italy will also involve her getting her college coursework done in between games and practices.
“We’ll see how it goes,” she said with a laugh.
Inside the Food at the Olympic Village: What Olympians Are Eating in Milan
Thanks to the generosity of her supporters, including the Kelce brothers, Laila will also have her family around to lean on — which is something she relied on in the build-up to the 2026 Games back home with her older sister, Chayla.
“I played with her here at Wisconsin for two years and she still lives on campus,” Laila said. “I can either call her or we can meet in person. It’s super easy. She’s just someone I can talk with about anything. Honestly, most of our conversation is not about hockey.”
She continued, “But if something within hockey is bothering me or stressing me out, I can talk to her about it.”
Team USA, heavy favorites at the 2026 Olympics alongside Team Canada, return to the ice on Saturday, February 7, against Finland.
