At the event, Donna and Ed both spoke exclusively to PEOPLE and shared their reactions to Taylor Swift’s recent appearance on Travis’ podcast, ‘New Heights’
From left: Travis Kelce; Donna Kelce; Ed Kelce.Credit : Jamie Squire/Getty;skyler caruso
Travis Kelce had two of his biggest fans by his side for a very special night.
The NFL star, 35, was joined by his parents, Ed and Donna Kelce, at the premiere of the Kansas City Chiefs’ new ESPN docuseries, The Kingdom, on Sunday, Aug. 24.
They were all smiles as they walked the red carpet at the celebratory event, held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.
Donna showed her Chiefs team spirit by wearing a dark red lace ensemble, accessorized with a pair of her signature red glasses to match. Ed sported a classic blue suit and white shirt.
The football parents spoke exclusively to PEOPLE on the red carpet and shared their respective reactions to Travis’ girlfriend Taylor Swift’s recent appearance on New Heights, the podcast Travis hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce.
Donna described the pop superstar’s appearance on the Aug. 13 podcast episode as “really, really eventful.”
“It was authentic. It was just something I think everybody was thrilled to see, and it was a very loving podcast,” she added.
Ed, meanwhile, told PEOPLE how his son Travis’ joy is all down to his relationship with Swift, 35. When asked to pinpoint the cause of the tight end’s happiness of late, Ed replied, “Taylor. There’s no question about it.”
Donna and Ed, who went their separate ways following their sons’ college graduations after roughly 25 years of marriage, have showed their support for Travis throughout his 12 seasons in the NFL, and have even opened up at length about backing his dreams to play professionally since he was a kid.
Travis Kelce at the premiere of ‘The Kingdom’ on Aug. 24, 2025. Edward Zurga/Shutterstock
In February, the proud parents sported matching jerseys with the number “87” on them in support of Travis and the Chiefs playing in the 2025 Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They posed on the red carpet together ahead of the anticipated matchup.
Travis’ brother Jason, meanwhile, has spoken highly of his brother’s personal and professional endeavors both on and off the field — from his standout NFL career to his whirlwind romance with Swift — on their record-breaking podcast.
In addition to the Kelces, several members of the Chiefs team walked the red carpet at Sunday’s The Kingdom premiere.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes posed for photos alongside his wife, Brittany Mahomes, and head coach Andy Reid made an appearance together with his wife, Tammy Reid.
Travis Kelce celebrates the Kansas City Chiefs win against the Buffalo Bills at the AFC Championship Game alongside his mom, Donna Kelce, and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in January 2025.Jamie Squire/Getty
The spirited soirée was thrown in celebration of ESPN’s release of The Kingdom, a six-part docuseries that chronicles the Chiefs’ pursuit of a history-making “three-peat” at the 2024 Super Bowl, while simultaneously breaking down the franchise’s distinctive place in the NFL’s landscape for more than six decades.
The Kingdom, directed by Kristen Lappas, premiered on Aug. 14. It’s produced by Words + Pictures in association with Skydance Sports, NFL Films, 2PM Productions and Foolish Club Studios.
Kansas City Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt called the series a “tribute to everyone who has helped shape” the franchise over the past 60 years.
“We were proud to open our doors to share the full scope of what Chiefs Kingdom means, on the field and beyond,” he added.
ESPN’s Chiefs Kingdom is airing now and available for streaming on ESPN+.
News
“Patriots WAGs Shock NFL World by Inviting Cardi B to Join Their Tailgate Party Amid Explosive Rumors of a Secret Wedding with Stefon Diggs — Fans Are Asking If This Is Football’s Wildest Love Story Yet”
Victoria Gibson and Jayda Kamryn Hawkins, whose partners play for the NFL team, posted a video congratulating the rapper on…
The “Four-Penalty Fiasco”-Is This the End of an Era? A Giants Star’s “GIANT MISTAKE” Sparks a Sideline Eruption and a Potential Trade!
Fans piled in with their views on the chaotic scenes A NEW YORK GIANTS star suffered a sideline meltdown…
The Super Bowl Curse Continues: A Pro-Bowl Star Is Benched, and a “Horror Start” May Have Doomed His Team’s Season!
His replacement had impressive debut in Week 2 NFL Pro-Bowl star has officially been benched after a horror start to…
Is This the End? The “GOAT” Debate Is Over, and Patrick Mahomes’s Decline Could Bring the Chiefs Empire Crashing Down!
Roman philosopher Seneca wrote that every new beginning comes from another beginning’s end. The world’s most famous empire, on which…
The Ultimate Career Change! This NFL Icon Is Now Saving Lives and Proving You Can’t Put a Price on True Heroism!
Rashard Higgins made a mark in Cleveland thanks to his infectious personality. Nicknamed ‘Hollywood’ by his pee-wee football coach, the…
Brady’s Dynasty Dethroned? Dak Prescott Stuns the NFL with a “History-Making” Play That Changes Everything!
Dak Prescott lost twice to the New York Giants as a rookie in 2016. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has won 14 straight…
End of content
No more pages to load