US ice hockey player Laila Edwards has thanked NFL star Travis Kelce for helping her family watch her make history at the Winter Olympics in Milan. She is the first black woman to don a US ice hockey jersey at an Olympics.
US ice hockey player Laila Edwards has thanked NFL star Travis Kelce for helping her family watch her make history at the Winter Olympics in Milan.
She is the first black woman to don a US ice hockey jersey at an Olympics.
Her parents launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay for flights and accommodation. A $10,000 donation from Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis and his brother, ex-NFL player Jason, meant they raised more than $60,000.
It means 14 family members can travel to Milan.
"I've been a big fan growing up," Edwards told reporters about Travis Kelce, who is engaged to pop star Taylor Swift.
"We came from the same home town (in Ohio). He was a really big, popular guy. He's a great athlete, but I learned he's an even better person, which is really cool."
She is happy being a trailblazer at the Games, which officially open on Friday.
"That's my favourite part about it. It's my biggest motivator. It's cool, all the people reaching out saying that I've paved the way for them," she said.
Category: General Sports
