It was a busy Sunday for NFL mom Donna Kelce. The mother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce managed to watch her two sons’ wild card games from the stands.
Kelce started the day in Tampa Bay to watch his eldest son Jason take on the Buccaneers. Despite a devastating 31-15 loss to the Bucs, Kelce was determined to catch a flight and make it to Travis’ game in Kansas City, Missouri.
A rickshaw, Uber, a taxi, a delayed flight and more than 1,200 miles later, Kelce traveled to Arrowhead Stadium in the first quarter to watch Travis and the Chiefs’ 42-21 victory over the Steelers of Pittsburgh.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas offered Kelce a police escort from the airport to ensure she would arrive on time, posting on Twitter, “Happy to drop by the airport to pick up Mama Kelce. We need her at home!”
With Kelce in the stands, watching his son after an adventurous cross-country trip, the Chiefs tight end became the first player in league history to throw a touchdown, catch a touchdown and have more 100 receiving yards in a single playoff game, according to NFL Research.
The accomplishment was greeted by a surprise guest at the post-game press conference: NFL Mom of the Year.
“I actually made it,” she said, moonlighting as a reporter after the game. “After a disappointing game in Tampa, it was a joy to see you score a touchdown in a playoff game. I mean, oh my god, how good does that feel?”
Delighted to hear his mother’s voice, the Kansas City star delivered a heartfelt response.
“To finally throw a touchdown like I used to tell my mom when I was five that I was eventually going to throw a touchdown in the National Football League, I finally got it.”
Kelce caught five passes for 108 yards in addition to his touchdown.
The Chiefs are set for a Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.
Contact Analis Bailey at [email protected] or on Twitter @analisbailey.
