Donna Kelce turned her second mother’s encouragement into a parenting lesson that helped Jason and Travis Kelce chase their dreams(Image via Getty Images)
She lost her biological mother at just 12 years old, but found that support in her stepmother, Mary. In a CNBC interview published on February 9, 2024, she revealed that she texts her sons the night before big games. Donna’s journey from a grieving 12-year-old to the mother of two NFL stars carries a meaningful family connection.
Because that is where they are more likely to thrive, she said parents should support whatever their children love doing.
“By the grace of God, if we didn’t have her, I don’t think we would have made it,” Donna said. “I go back and get a little nostalgia,” she told CNBC. Before Donna Kelce became the mother of two NFL stars, she was a young girl who needed someone to believe in her. Years later, Donna raised Jason and Travis Kelce with a similar willingness to let them follow their interests. Her journey offers a glimpse into how one woman’s encouragement became part of the story behind the Kelce brothers’ success. Mary did more than help Donna through a painful childhood. She encouraged her to pursue opportunities that her father did not always support. Donna eventually competed in track and field, attended college and built a career in banking. When she became a mother, she gave her sons room to discover their own paths, even as their interests eventually led them to the NFL. Even after they reached the NFL, Donna continued finding small ways to encourage them. She often sends childhood photographs and old memories to help them relax before taking the field. Mary helped her believe in herself when she needed that support most. Years later, Donna stood behind Jason and Travis as they pursued their own ambitions. She never needed to push them towards football. Instead, she gave them the freedom to find their way and made sure they knew she would be there.
In an interview with TODAY, Donna explained her approach to supporting her sons’ ambitions.