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The victory of the United States women's hockey team at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics not only placed a gold medal around Laila Edwards' neck, but also created a story of solidarity that has moved the Cleveland Heights community, with support that came from two NFL personalities: Jason and Travis Kelce.
For the family of the defender from the women's hockey team, who defeated Canada to win the gold medal, success on the ice was made possible thanks to a circle of support that allowed her loved ones to be present at the most important moment of her career - an opportunity that initially seemed far out of reach, but one that became reality thanks to the Kelce brothers.
Robert Edwards, father of the medalist, expressed his deep emotion over the support received from local NFL heroes Jason and Travis Kelce. "We are very happy, overwhelmed, and touched by their support and their interest," Robert said.
"We follow them as people and we love them, as well as everything they represent. And we hope they can feel the same way about us and about Laila."
The connection between the families was sealed in Milan when Robert met Jason Kelce at the arena. After identifying himself as the player's father, the Eagles legend's attitude immediately changed.
"He completely opened up. He said he was very proud," Robert recalled about the emotional handshake before the action on the ice began - a game that ultimately ended with a gold medal.
A $10,000 "stroke of luck": How the family made it to Italy
Despite Laila's talent, her family's trip to Europe once seemed like an unreachable dream. Charone Gray-Edwards, the athlete's mother, confessed the financial stress they experienced before the competition.
"We had to start talking about how to get money. Who would go? How would we pay for it?" she said.
The reality was that even though their daughter was representing the Olympic team, they did not have the financial means for everyone to travel. As the team continued to succeed, the desire to attend the final - with the possibility of a medal - kept growing.
Facing the possibility that Laila would compete alone, Robert decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign to raise the necessary funds. The initial goal was $50,000 so they would not have to choose between buying a plane ticket to Italy or "paying the electric bill in Cleveland Heights." That was when the Kelce brothers stepped in with an anonymous $10,000 donation.
Robert explained that emotional support was just as important as financial help.
"There are a lot of ups and downs playing hockey at this level, so she's going to need someone there. So I thought, 'Well, forget pride - let's start a fundraiser.'"
Thanks to this gesture, a group of 14 people - including her parents, grandmother, aunt, cousins, and older brother - were able to witness Laila make history in person. For the family, the Kelces' support became the driving force that allowed Cleveland Heights to celebrate from the stands in Milan the first Olympic gold medal won by an African American woman in U.S. Olympic hockey history.