Sophia Michaels
Ed Kelce, alongside his former spouse Donna, has been a silent supporter of his sons Jason and Travis as they became NFL stars—Jason with the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis with the Kansas City Chiefs—without drawing much press attention for years. However, after Travis began his relationship with pop sensation Taylor Swift, everything changed for Ed.
Since then, Ed has frequently appeared in media interviews, joined his sons on their “New Heights” podcast, and expressed his thoughts on social media, especially winning over the Swiftie community with his supportive remarks about their favorite star. Despite his newfound fame, many details about Ed remain lesser-known. From his dreams of military service to family traditions, let’s delve into the intriguing aspects of the father of these notable athletes.
Ed’s Early Sports Passion
It turns out athletic talent runs in the Kelce family. Ed Kelce, who grew up in Collinwood, Cleveland, had aspirations of playing in the NFL himself, but a high school injury thwarted those dreams.
Ed briefly attended Ohio State University and excelled in baseball as well. He later channeled his enthusiasm into coaching his sons, creating a sports practice area in their garage and coaching them in T-ball. Reflecting on their journey, Ed fondly recalls how everything began with Jason rolling a ball to him as a toddler.
Unfulfilled Military Aspirations
Ed faced significant setbacks in his early adult life. His sports dreams were dashed by an injury, and he also experienced disappointment when rejected by the military, having hoped to continue a family legacy of service.
Raised in a home where military service was considered a norm, Ed expected to follow suit. He later revealed this on the “New Heights” podcast, sharing his family history. Sadly, an injury led to the rejection of his military application. Later, after enlisting in the Coast Guard, he was discharged after discovering he had Crohn’s disease.
Career in the Steel Industry
Following his setbacks in sports and military service, Ed transitioned into a career in the steel industry, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
Ed Kelce, the proud father of two wealthy sons, Jason and Travis, has likely achieved a life of comfort. However, his journey to this point was filled with challenges. Once pursuing both sports and military aspirations, the Cleveland resident found himself working in the steel industry, initially in a lab setting before transitioning to sales, where he promoted various manufacturing goods.
Ed made it a priority to instill a strong work ethic in his sons, often taking them to his workplace to show them the importance of hard work. In a conversation with the Los Angeles Times, he shared, “I’d bring them along with hard hats, safety glasses, and boots.”
“I told them, ‘You could follow your mother’s career path, or you could take a route like mine,'” Ed recounted, referencing his ex-wife Donna’s banking career. Ultimately, the Kelce brothers demonstrated that they had far more options available to them.
