At the New York City premiere of FX’s series Grotesquerie on Monday, September 23, Donna Kelce voiced her frustration with the negative comments regarding her son Travis Kelce’s performance in the NFL. While there, she referred to those critics as the “dads, Brads and Chads,” a term popularized by Taylor Swift.
Addressing the NFL naysayers, Donna remarked to PEOPLE, “It’s tough, it really is.” She emphasized the immense pressure athletes face, stating that many fail to appreciate the behind-the-scenes challenges that come with being in the public eye.
Despite criticism, Donna praises Travis and says he’s always giving his all, acknowledging that sometimes athletes fall short
“The pressure can be overwhelming,” she explained. “You don’t realize how many times people are trying to keep you from catching the ball, or trying to trip you up or hit you… so it’s kinda hard when you’ve got people that are in your face 24/7.” Representing the Kelce family at the premiere, Donna attended in Travis’ absence, as he was in Kansas City celebrating his team’s recent victory over the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 22-17.
In her December 2023 Time cover story, Travis’ girlfriend, Swift, used the phrase “dads, Brads and Chads” to address NFL critics while discussing her support for him at games. She expressed uncertainty about how much attention she was drawing, saying, “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
Despite the challenges posed by the critics, Donna acknowledged to PEOPLE, “It’s part of the whole thing. I’ve been doing it for 15 years now. It is what it is.” She praised Travis and noted, “I know when they’re out there, they’re giving everything they can. And sometimes people fall short. You don’t want to, but sometimes there are other things that are going on.”
Regarding her son’s upcoming acting role in Grotesquerie, Donna shared with PEOPLE that she isn’t feeling anxious, given her experience raising Travis and his brother Jason. “I’ve been watching these guys for years, ever since they were 3 years old on the field or playing sports or band or whatever at school — in plays,” she reflected. “You know, it’s just a mom watching her kids.” The premiere of the first two episodes of Grotesquerie is set for Wednesday, September 25, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.
