ST.“I’m the Best Athlete to Come Out of Cleveland Heights.” Laila Edwards Claims Her Crown — And the Kelce Brothers Let Her Have It
She did it herself.
With a smile, a laugh, and unmistakable confidence, the 22-year-old ice hockey star crowned herself the greatest athlete ever to emerge from Cleveland Heights — a hometown that just happens to include two NFL icons.
And here’s the twist: Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce didn’t argue.
They applauded.
A Line That Lit Up the Sports World
During an appearance on Not Gonna Lie, Edwards introduced herself with a playful but bold declaration that immediately went viral.
“Hi, I’m Laila Edwards — not gonna lie, I’m the best athlete to come out of Cleveland Heights.”
Jason Kelce, listening just off-camera, didn’t miss a beat.
“No objection!”
No rivalry.
No ego.
Just respect.
Why Edwards Can Back It Up
Edwards isn’t just talking big — she’s already rewritten Olympic history.
At the 2026 Winter Games, she became the first Black woman ever to win Olympic gold in ice hockey for Team USA, a landmark achievement in a sport that has long struggled with diversity at the highest level.
That single moment elevated her from hometown star to global trailblazer — and cemented her place among the most decorated athletes Cleveland Heights has ever produced.
Even the Kelce Résumés Don’t Diminish the Moment
That’s not to downplay the competition.
Jason Kelce anchored the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line for more than a decade, earning multiple First-Team All-Pro selections and helping deliver Super Bowl LII.
Travis Kelce revolutionized the tight end position with the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming a three-time Super Bowl champion, perennial Pro Bowler, and one of the greatest to ever play his position.
Yet even with those accolades, neither brother pushed back on Edwards’ claim.
Because this moment wasn’t about comparison.
It was about history.
Respect That Started Long Before Olympic Gold
The bond between Edwards and the Kelce brothers didn’t begin in Italy.
Back in 2023, when Edwards became the first Black woman selected to the U.S. national women’s ice hockey team, Jason and Travis publicly praised her on their podcast — highlighting the importance of representation in a sport that rarely offers it.
Edwards, assuming they’d never see it, sent a thank-you message.
They did see it.
“Travis and I ended up having a full conversation over DMs,” she recalled.
“He was super down-to-earth, humble, and incredibly supportive.”
That exchange turned admiration into genuine connection.
Cheering From the Stands — and Helping Behind the Scenes
Jason and Kylie Kelce were later spotted in the arena during a semifinal matchup, cheering as Edwards and Team USA advanced.
And when Edwards’ family faced steep travel costs to attend the Games, the Kelces quietly stepped in — contributing so her relatives could witness the historic moment in person.
No headlines.
No announcements.
Just action.
“Those are just really good guys,” Edwards said.
“Really good people, outside of their athletic abilities.”
Cleveland Heights Has a New Queen
A suburb of just 45,000 residents, Cleveland Heights has produced Super Bowl champions, All-Pros, and now an Olympic gold medalist who shattered barriers on the world’s biggest stage.
And when Laila Edwards claimed her crown?
The Kelce brothers didn’t fight it.
They nodded — and made room.
A hometown legacy, passed forward — not fought over.
