Ed Kelce never played in the NFL but he made history in Super Bowl LIV in Glendale. He became the first father to have two sons play against each other in the NFL championship game when the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs.
Undoubtedly, he has been a driving force in his sons' careers. His unwavering support, sacrifice, and guidance have created two NFL stars in Travis and Jason Kelce. The brothers have played a combined 22 years in the league and look destined for a few more too.
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Ed Kelce’s military background
Ed, just like his sons, developed an affinity for football during his formative years in Cleveland. Despite briefly pursuing college, Ed, hailing from a family with a strong military background, sensed a profound duty to dedicate himself to serving his nation.
Many members of his family prior to him served in the army, dating back to World War II. Speaking on the subject, he said:
"Everybody in my family prior to me was in the service. We're also talking about family [that] lived through World War II, so that's what everybody did because that was the background."
Ed encountered a setback when his application to join the Army was turned down due to a previous knee injury. Nonetheless, he persevered and decided to enlist in the Coast Guard. However, his aspirations were abruptly halted during boot camp upon discovering that he had been diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
Undeterred, Ed made a significant career shift and achieved remarkable success in the steel industry. He even took the opportunity to expose his football-mad sons to the realities of working in a mill by occasionally bringing them along to his workplace.
How Ed Kelce met his wife, Donna
Not many men meet their future wives while she is on her way on a date with another man, but that was the experience for Ed Kelce.
On her way, Donna made a detour to a bar called Fagan's in Old Cleveland Flats, coincidentally running into Ed who had dropped by for a drink after work. Engaging in conversation, they found themselves engrossed, leading Donna to decide to forgo her scheduled date.
The two eventually got married, tying the knot in the late 70s. Starting their family in the charming community of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the marriage has produced two of the biggest stars in the NFL today.
Ed Kelce and Donna Kelce parted ways after 25 years of marriage. The two remain as close friends today. Donna Kelce never misses a change to give Ed his flowers for rising two superstars.
Ed Kelce impressed by Travis Kelce's girlfriend Taylor Swift
Ed Kelce and Taylor Swift might not have spent a lot of time together. But the Chiefs TE's father is impressed by the pop star's down-to-earth nature. In an interview with PEOPLE, Ed Kelce mentioned how Taylor Swift picking up trash while going to grab a drink left him in awe of her
“And I'm just thinking, I don't think she got the diva memo. She didn't get the spoiled musician. She doesn't know how to pull that off. And that really to me said a whole lot.”
The Kelce family is the talk of the NFL world with all eyes on Travis Kelce, gearing up for his fourth Super Bowl in five years and with Taylor Swift, arguably the world's biggest entertainer, dating the 2x Super Bowl winner.
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