Kelce brothers help Badgers star Laila Edwards' family attend her Olympic debut

GoFundMe drive raises over $59,000 to bring up to 14 family members to support Edwards at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Thanks to an outpouring of donations, including a major push from the hometown NFL brother tandem of Travis and Jason Kelce, the family of Laila Edwards, a women's hockey player from Cleveland Heights, Ohio who is making her Olympic debut for Team USA at the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, will be able to attend and witness her historic achievement. A GoFundMe drive launched after Edwards was named to the U.S. roster generated over $59,000, surpassing the $50,000 goal and allowing up to 14 members of her immediate family to make the trip.

Why it matters

Edwards, who left home at 13 to pursue her hockey dreams, is considered the future face of women's hockey and will become the first Black female hockey player to represent the U.S. at the Olympics. The support from her hometown community, including the high-profile Kelce brothers, underscores the significance of her achievement and the sacrifices her family has made to help her reach this milestone.

The details

A GoFundMe drive launched shortly after Edwards was named to the U.S. roster this month had generated more than $59,000 through Wednesday, surpassing the goal of $50,000. This will allow the Edwards family, from maternal grandmother Ernestine Gray to Laila's nephew Shiloh, to attend her Olympic debut. The Kelce brothers, NFL stars Travis and Jason, contributed $10,000 to the drive and also reached out to provide advice and support to Edwards.

  • Laila Edwards celebrated her 22nd birthday on Sunday, January 26, 2026.
  • Edwards will make her Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games next week.

The players

Laila Edwards

A 22-year-old women's hockey player from Cleveland Heights, Ohio who is making her Olympic debut for Team USA at the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games. She is considered the future face of women's hockey and will become the first Black female hockey player to represent the U.S. at the Olympics.

Travis Kelce

An NFL tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who is from the Cleveland area and contributed $10,000 to the GoFundMe drive to support Laila Edwards' family attending her Olympic debut.

Jason Kelce

A retired NFL center who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and is the brother of Travis Kelce. He also contributed to the GoFundMe drive to support Laila Edwards' family attending her Olympic debut.

Charone Gray-Edwards

Laila Edwards' mother, who expressed deep gratitude for the support that allowed her family to attend Laila's Olympic debut.

Robert Edwards

Laila Edwards' father, who said the family is "humbled" by the outpouring of support.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my goodness, I was going to find words to describe the gratitude and appreciation. But I haven't yet.”

— Charone Gray-Edwards, Laila Edwards' mother

“We're humbled by it.”

— Robert Edwards, Laila Edwards' father

“Obviously, my name's on the roster, but I feel like my whole family made it to the Olympics. All the sacrifices they've made, the things they've done to get me here, my parents, my siblings, I'm so grateful, And for them to get to come and share the experience is going to be really special.”

— Laila Edwards (The Associated Press)

“He was just saying, everyone's got my back. He's rooting for me. They didn't have to do that, but they did. And I'm really grateful.”

— Laila Edwards

“I was in Wisconsin this weekend and people are coming up to me saying, 'I didn't have much but I donated,' And I'm like, 'You don't understand, every dollar counted. Every dollar.'”

— Charone Gray-Edwards, Laila Edwards' mother

What’s next

The preliminary plan is to use whatever money is left over from the GoFundMe drive in giving back to the community, whether it's providing hockey equipment or free ice time.

The takeaway

This story highlights the power of community support and the sacrifices families make to help athletes like Laila Edwards achieve their Olympic dreams. The Kelce brothers' involvement and the outpouring of donations from the Cleveland community underscores the significance of Edwards becoming the first Black female hockey player to represent the U.S. at the Olympics.