Meet the Cherished NFL Moms: Donna Kelce and Other Football Player Parents
Meet the beloved NFL moms, including Donna Kelce and Wilma McNabb Discover the incredible parents of football players like Lisa McCaffrey, Cheryl Bosa, Randi Mahomes, Alisa Gardner, Olivia Williams Manning, Pamela Hurts, and more Learn about the amazing women behind the scenes in the NFL
Donna Kelce, Wilma McNabb, and other mothers of professional football players have been their sons' biggest fans long before they joined the NFL.
Leading up to Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, the spotlight was on Travis and Jason Kelce's mother as her sons became the first brothers to play against each other in the championship game. (Travis is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jason is the center for the Philadelphia Eagles.)
Donna achieved widespread attention when she wore a jacket representing her sons' respective teams to the Super Bowl. She also keeps two bracelets that belonged to her stepmother, each representing the Eagles and the Chiefs, as additional good luck charms. Donna exclusively shared with We in November 2023 that she wears the Kansas City bracelet to Travis' games and the Philadelphia bracelet to Jason's games, and she wishes them luck by recalling funny memories or making encouraging comments from the past. That's the extent of her game day rituals.
Superstitions notwithstanding, Donna's pride in her boys knows no bounds — and the feeling is mutual. During their "New Heights" podcast recap of the 2023 Super Bowl, Travis and Jason became emotional as they lavished praise on their mother.
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“She was on top of [the world], and she shined the whole time. That was the coolest part,” Travis gushed.
Scroll down to learn more about the NFL’s most recognizable moms:
Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Get to Know the Most Beloved NFL Moms: Donna Kelce and More Parents of Football Players
Donna Kelce and Wilma McNabb, along with other mothers of professional football players, have been their sons' biggest supporters long before they reached the NFL. The spotlight was on Travis and Jason Kelce's mother as the brothers faced off in Super Bowl LVII in February 2023, marking the first time siblings played against each other in the championship game. Travis Kelce is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jason Kelce serves as the center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
In November 2023, Donna shared that she has a few good luck charms, including two bracelets that were her stepmother’s, representing the Eagles and the Chiefs. She wears the KC bracelet when she attends Travis’ games and the Philly bracelet when she attends Jason’s games, and she also tries to find a funny picture or make a supportive comment to wish them luck. That’s basically all she does.
Donna was extremely proud of her sons, and the feeling was mutual. While discussing the 2023 Super Bowl on their "New Heights" podcast, Travis and Jason were overcome with emotion as they praised their mother.
"She was shining the entire time, she was on top of the world. That was the most incredible part," Travis exclaimed.
Scroll down to learn more about the NFL’s most recognizable moms:
Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Donna Kelce
Donna found herself in the spotlight leading up to Super Bowl 2023, also known as the Kelce Bowl, where Travis and the Chiefs defeated Jason and the Eagles. The spotlight intensified later that year as Travis started dating Taylor Swift.
“They had phenomenal coaches, fantastic teachers, great support, and families that were always around us because we traveled so much for baseball and football. I think it was a combination of all those individuals with those great qualities that rubbed off on them over the years," Donna told Us exclusively in November 2023. "I’m just very, very happy that they had those opportunities and turned into the men that they are.”
Credit: Courtesy of Lisa McCaffrey/Instagram
Lisa McCaffrey
During 49ers games, Christian McCaffrey’s mother can often be seen enthusiastically cheering for her son from the stands. Additionally, she cohosts the “Your Mom” podcast, where she is not shy about sharing embarrassing stories about her son.
“She’s changed. She’s different,” Christian joked on a February 2023 episode. “The only time she’s texted me is to [ask me to] come on the show.”
Credit: Courtesy of Cheryl Bosa/Instagram
Cheryl Bosa
The mother of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa captured the split loyalty in a single image with her custom jersey in a November 2022 Instagram post. One sleeve dedicated to each of her sons’ teams. “Split jersey split loyalty. ️,” she wrote.
Credit: Courtesy of Randi Mahomes/Instagram
Randi Mahomes
Randi expressed her pride in an interview with a Kansas City news outlet in January 2020 as her son Patrick Mahomes geared up to play in his first Super Bowl. "I always say we're blessed. He's blessed to be able to do his dream — to live doing exactly what he loves." Patrick and the Chiefs emerged victorious in both the 2020 and 2023 Super Bowl LVII, with the quarterback being named MVP for both championship games. His mother was present to support him during these triumphs.
Credit: Courtesy of Sauce Gardner/Instagram
Alisa Gardner
In June 2022, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner celebrated signing his four-year contract with the New York Jets by purchasing a new Mercedes-Benz for his mother, Alisa. Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, the cornerback wrote, "Another one off the checklist!!! Ma, I appreciate you for raising a great man. And thank you God for allowing me to make this happen. Love you both."
Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images
Olivia Williams Manning
"I have always been a football fan, but I never expected it to be to this extent," revealed Williams Manning, the mother of former quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning, in a 2006 interview with CBS SportsLine. "Having a husband who plays football is one thing, but having two sons in the NFL has truly been extraordinary. We are incredibly proud of them."
Along with Eli and Peyton, Williams Manning shares son Cooper Manning with husband Archie Manning, who played on the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982.
Credit: Courtesy of Rick Karle/Facebook
Pamela Hurts
Pamela’s son, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, has a strong dedication to his family, especially when it comes to his mother’s cooking. In a TikTok video posted by Sports Illustrated in August 2023, Jalen was asked to choose between a Philly cheesesteak or Texas barbecue. He opted for “my mama’s barbecue” and ranked it higher than Wawa, Waffle House and others.
Credit: Lisa Lake/WireImage
Wilma McNabb
During the peak of his NFL career, Donovan McNabb was joined by his mother in advertisements for Campbell's Chunky Soup. Their partnership was so well-known that they were even parodied on Saturday Night Live by Kenan Thompson and Finesse Mitchell. Sadly, McNabb's football career came to an end in 2011.
