Donna Kelce defends ‘under pressure’ son Travis amid Chiefs star’s slow start

Donna Kelce believes critics don’t understand the “pressure” Travis Kelce faces.

The 34-year-old sports star has become one of the most talked-about athletes in the world since he started dating Taylor Swift in 2023, and Donna — Travis’ mom — has observed that the pressure is “very difficult” to cope with.

She told People: “It’s tough, it really is.

Donna Kelce said people don’t understand the “pressure” her son Travis Kelce is under. killatrav/Instagram The Kelce matriarch spoke out following the Kansas City Chiefs star’s slow start to the 2024 NFL season. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con “It’s tough, it really is,” she told People. Getty Images

“You know, I don’t think they realize the pressure that people are under, whether they’re athletes or professionals that are in front of the camera,” Donna, 71, continued.

“And it’s just very difficult, there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes.

“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.”

Donna continued, “You know, I don’t think they realize the pressure that people are under, whether they’re athletes or professionals that are in front of the camera.” Getty Images “And it’s just very difficult, there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes,” she added. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes — Travis’ teammate — previously claimed that Taylor, 34, has helped to make the Kansas City Chiefs a “worldwide team.”

He told Time magazine: “[The Chiefs] went from a nationwide team that was kind of global to a full global worldwide team. That came from Taylor’s fanbase.”

Patrick also admitted to being impressed by Taylor’s work ethic.

“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,” Donna said. Getty Images Donna added that it’s more difficult when people “are in your face 24/7.” Getty Images Travis has garnered more attention since he started dating Taylor Swift. Getty Images

The 29-year-old sports star — who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NFL — said: “I’ve met a lot of famous people now in my life.

“Taylor’s probably the most down-to-earth person that’s been on that stage for that long.

“She’s never not working. Even when she’s taking her downtime, she’s working on something. Shooting a music video or singing a song or writing a song. You can see it by how she talks.”