by ## Jason Kelce’s Parents: Fostering a Passion for Football
Jason Kelce has established himself as one of the top centers in the NFL during his nine-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was a key member of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII championship team in 2018. However, none of Kelce’s success would have been possible without the support and encouragement of his parents, Ed and Donna Kelce. From a young age, they fostered Jason’s love of football and helped shape him into the player and person he is today.
### Early Exposure to the Game
Jason’s introduction and initial passion for football can be traced back to his father, Ed Kelce. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ed played football throughout high school as an offensive lineman. While he did not play at the collegiate level, he maintained a lifelong love for the game. Ed made sure to pass this enthusiasm down to his sons, Jason and younger brother Travis, who also had a successful NFL career as a tight end.
“My dad played in high school and he loved football,” Jason recalled. “He always had it on and talked about it. That’s how I was exposed to the game from a really young age.”
Ed would take Jason to Browns games starting from when he was just a toddler. They would watch games together on television and have in-depth discussions analyzing plays. Even as a young boy, Jason was fascinated by the complexities of the sport and strategies employed by different teams. He wanted to emulate his father’s passion and start playing himself.
While Ed introduced Jason to football fandom, his mother Donna was equally as supportive of her son’s athletic interests. A bank manager by profession, Donna attended every game and practice that her busy schedule allowed. She was Jason’s number one fan, cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines during his pee wee games. Donna’s presence and encouragement fueled Jason’s competitive fire from the beginning.
“My mom was awesome. She was at every game and practice she could be at,” Kelce said. “Having that parental support from such a young age really helped develop my love for the game.”
### A Football-Centric Home Environment
The Kelce household in Cleveland was truly a football home. Memorabilia from the Browns, Steelers, Buckeyes and other teams adorned the walls. During the season, game broadcasts were a constant in the living room. Ed and Donna fostered spirited debates around the dinner table about the latest games, players, and storylines unfolding in the NFL.
This environment kept Jason and Travis constantly engaged with and learning about football even when they weren’t actively playing. It helped develop their knowledge of the technical and strategic aspects of the game from a young age.
“Our house always revolved around football,” Kelce recalled. “We talked about it all the time as a family. My dad made sure me and my brother knew the ins and outs.”
In addition to the football discussions, Ed ensured his sons had the resources and facilities needed to hone their skills. In their Cleveland home’s basement, he constructed a makeshift weight room complete with dumbbells, benches and other basic equipment. It gave Jason and Travis a place to train during the offseason to get stronger. Their dedication to improving in the weight room would serve them well as they progressed up the football ranks.
### Prioritizing Hard Work and Discipline
While fostering Jason’s love of football, Ed and Donna Kelce also imparted important life lessons. They emphasized strong principles of hard work, dedication, discipline and accountability. These teachings from his parents had a profound impact on shaping Jason into the determined, resilient player he is today.
Ed led by example with his work ethic as a steelworker. He expected the same commitment from his sons on the football field and in all aspects of their lives. Donna reinforced this message and held the boys responsible for their schoolwork, chores and other responsibilities. Slacking off was not tolerated in the Kelce household.
“My parents were big on working hard for the things you want,” Kelce said. “My dad worked crazy hours in the steel mills, so I saw what it took. They stayed on me about getting my work done and always giving my best effort.”
Ed pushed Jason to constantly improve, whether it was adding more weight in the basement gym or drilling technique with a football. He would point out flaws for his son to address. While this may have been tough love at times, it drove Jason to elevate his game. He learned the value of persevering through setbacks and challenges with discipline and grit.
These lessons instilled a blue-collar, lunch pail mentality that has served Kelce well in his NFL career. He continues to outwork opponents in the trenches game after game, season after season. His dedication is a testament to the foundation laid by his hardworking parents.
### Balancing Academics and Athletics
In addition to emphasizing hard work, Ed and Donna stressed the importance of education to their sons. They wanted Jason and Travis to have options beyond football and understand the importance of preparing for life after sports. While supporting the boys’ athletic dreams, they encouraged them to focus equally on academics.
“My parents made it clear that school always came first,” Kelce said. “Football was something fun I enjoyed, but they wanted me to get an education no matter what.”
Kelce took this message to heart. He graduated from Cleveland’s Glenville High School with high honors in 2006 while also starring as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. Kelce then continued excelling in the classroom at the University of Cincinnati, graduating in 2010 with a degree in business administration.
His parents’ guidance helped Kelce avoid falling into the trap of prioritizing football over schoolwork that ensnares many young athletes. He understood the value of his education for his future, whether in sports or another career path. This balanced approach allowed Kelce to maximize his potential on and off the field.
### Shared Passion Brings the Family Together
While Ed and Donna pushed their sons to work hard, their primary motivation came from a genuine love and passion for the game of football. They enjoyed sharing in Jason and Travis’ athletic journeys, reveling in their successes and providing support through setbacks. Football created a strong bond between the Kelce parents and their boys that has lasted well beyond their playing days.
“My parents were just so into football like me and my brother,” Kelce reflected. “We’d spend Saturdays all fall watching college games together. It was really fun having that shared interest.”
Whether cheering from the stands of high school, college or NFL stadiums, Ed and Donna took pride in watching their sons compete. Family gatherings often centered around reliving games over a home-cooked meal. Their pride and enthusiasm buoyed Jason’s confidence as he progressed up the football ladder.
This connection through a mutual adoration of the sport has endured even as Kelce’s career has flourished. Ed and Donna continue attending Eagles games whenever possible to root on their son from the stands. After big wins, the whole family celebrates Jason’s accomplishments together. Their tight-knit bond and football fandom is a source of inspiration for Kelce.
### Lasting Impact and Legacy
It is clear that Jason Kelce’s parents played an immeasurably important role in his development both on and off the field. Through their unconditional love and support, as well as emphasis on hard work, discipline, and education, Ed and Donna Kelce established the foundation for their son’s success. They fostered his passion for football while instilling strong life principles that have served him well in his distinguished NFL career and beyond.
While his playing days may eventually come to an end, the lessons imparted by his parents will stay with Kelce for a lifetime. He credits them completely for his journey, always making a point to acknowledge their influence. Ed and Donna’s dedication as parents serves as an inspiring example for others. Through their guidance and shared adoration of football, they helped shape two sons into driven, accomplished men in Jason and Travis Kelce. Their legacy will undoubtedly live on in the Kelce family for generations to come.
