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 Crew 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 major sum of money and it positively boosted us,” Robert tells TMZ Sports activities. “However greater than that, it simply felt good that they cared sufficient to help us and to assist Laila.”

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

“We’re very happy and overwhelmed and humbled by their help and by their curiosity,” Robert stated. “We observe them as individuals and we love them and every part they stand for. And we’re hoping that they’ll really feel the identical approach about us and Laila.”

There was even a fast Milan meetup … Robert noticed Jason and known 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 change.

“He opened up. He stated he was very proud,” Robert recalled. The 2 shook fingers earlier than getting again to the sport — Crew 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 Crew USA jerseys.

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

Nonetheless, he tipped his cap to Edwards, the primary black girl to play for the U.S. girls’s senior nationwide crew.

“I’ll let you have got it since you’re the one one to have gold.”

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

“The neighborhood takes satisfaction within the Kelces. They take satisfaction in Laila,” he stated. “Having them collectively was nice for everyone.”