Travis’ and Jason’s mom, Donna, serves up chicken in Overland Park ahead of ‘Kelce Bowl’

One of the most famous moms in America arrived at Raising Cane’s under an umbrella and with a police escort on Monday morning in Overland Park.

Fans of both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles waited in the rain in a line that ran out of the building and through the parking lot to see Donna “Mama” Kelce, who was making an appearance at the Raising Cane’s on 135th Street in Overland Park.

Kelce, of course, is the mother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, whose teams play each other Monday night in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII at Arrowhead Stadium. “I just love the excitement, all the fanfare, I love Arrowhead,” Kelce said.

Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, is escorted into Raising Cane’s.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, is escorted into Raising Cane’s.

“It’s so loud and it is going to be an awesome night,” she said. “It’s going to be a jewel in the sky and I’m just looking forward to the game. I just love to watch football.”

Michele Stover of Buck Grove, Iowa, said seeing Donna “Mama” Kelce meant leaving at 5 a.m. and driving four hours to Overland Park to wait in the rain. “She is like the epitome of boy moms,” said Stover. “She has amazing boys, they are humble, they are kind, they are sweet and they’re famous. But you wouldn’t think that they’re famous, so she did a great job,” said Stover, who plans to watch the Chiefs Eagles game tonight with friends at Power and Light District in Kansas City.

Donna Kelce greeted employees during a pre-game stop at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce greeted employees during a pre-game stop at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
John Mathias of Rocketmail Productions of Dallas, presented a red and green shirt to Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, upon her arrival at Raising Cane’s on Monday, Nov. 20 2023, in Overland Park. Mathias was on hand to direct a video being shot with Kelce at the fast food restaurant.
John Mathias of Rocketmail Productions of Dallas, presented a red and green shirt to Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, upon her arrival at Raising Cane’s on Monday, Nov. 20 2023, in Overland Park. Mathias was on hand to direct a video being shot with Kelce at the fast food restaurant.

When asked about her sons facing each other again, Kelce responded, “I think they both have high hopes,” she said. “Travis he always wants to win, Jason always wants to win, they’re huge competitors.”

“They’re going to give everything they have, they’re not going to leave anything,” she said. “They will not come out of this game thinking, ‘I wish I would have done better.’ I know they will give their all in Arrowhead being in that atmosphere.”

Donna Kelce spoke with Ella Jo Jasso, 7, of Kansas City, as she “worked” a shift at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park. Kelce told Ella Jo not to let anyone tell her she couldn’t be whatever she wanted to be in life.
Donna Kelce spoke with Ella Jo Jasso, 7, of Kansas City, as she “worked” a shift at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park. Kelce told Ella Jo not to let anyone tell her she couldn’t be whatever she wanted to be in life.
Mike Tannenabaum of Washington, D.C., takes a selfie with Donna Kelce at Raising Cane’s in Overland Park.
Mike Tannenabaum of Washington, D.C., takes a selfie with Donna Kelce at Raising Cane’s in Overland Park.

As a video production crew directed the action, Kelce spent a few minutes learning the ins and outs of working the drive-thru and as well as ringing up a few customers at the front counter. “This is very surprising, especially in the rain,” said Kelce about the size of the crowd on hand to greet her. “I can’t believe they want to see me,” she said. “I understand my boys they’re celebrities, I’m just a mom.”

“This is awesome,” said LaToya Peters, an employee trainer at Raising Cane’s, “To see Kansas City show up and show out the way they are is fantastic.”

Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, “worked” the drive-thru during pre-game “shift” at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, “worked” the drive-thru during pre-game “shift” at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, serves up chicken wings while “working” the drive-thru at Raising Cane’s Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce, the mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce, serves up chicken wings while “working” the drive-thru at Raising Cane’s Monday in Overland Park.

“Well, as a mom of a son, how could I not come out and meet the world’s greatest mom,” said Amy Jungk of Leawood, who was the first in line for the drive-through. “To meet Travis’ mom today and shake her hand and maybe get some advice from her,” said Jungk, who added that she planned to order the biggest chicken finger box available and was taking some to her hairdresser.

Mike Tannenbaum of Washington D.C., is a fan of the Kelce brothers and of Mama Kelce. Tannenbaum, who is attending the game, was born in Philadelphia, lived in Kansas City, and is now from Washington, D.C. “I used to live in Kansas City, so I am on both ends of the Kelce spectrum,” he said. Tannenbaum added that the Kelce’s are such good people with all of the work they do in the community. “We need a lot more of that in today’s society.”

Donna Kelce met with Theshiona Fleming during pre-game visit to Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce met with Theshiona Fleming during pre-game visit to Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce answers questions at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce answers questions at Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce autographed items during a visit to Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.
Donna Kelce autographed items during a visit to Raising Cane’s on Monday in Overland Park.

After signing a few autographs and eating a few bites of chicken fingers, Kelce responded to questions from the production crew, then posed for photos with the Cane’s employees, then greeted them and shook their hands. Handlers hustled Kelce out the door and under an umbrella where she made the rounds of the parking lot saying hello and waving to fans waiting in line outside in the rain.