'I was boo-hoo crying all week': Kelce brothers reflect on parents' time in Super Bowl spotlight

Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce shed tears while talking about their parents during their first podcast since Super Bowl 57.

Donna Kelce emerged as a media favorite during the week leading up to the game before her sons became the first brothers to play for opposing teams in the Super Bowl.

During the podcast, which was published Wednesday, Jason Kelce grew emotional while recalling seeing his mother after the game. Jason Kelce, a center for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his teammates had just lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and their star tight end, Travis Kelce.

"The moment I saw Mom is when I got really emotional, 'cause, man, it was so awesome," Jason Kelce said, pausing to compose himself. "…You know, she was on top of the world for a week."

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Travis Kelce interjected during the "New Heights'' podcast, which launched before the 2022 season.

"She was the heavyweight champ, man," he said. "She was on top of it and she shined the whole time, man. That was the coolest part. Mom, you actually killed it. Dad, you’ve been killing it."

HOMEMADE COOKIES AND STARDOM

Donna Kelce’s big moment came at Opening Night, when during the televised event she delivered homemade cookies to her sons.

An online petition that called for Donna Kelce to handle the Super Bowl's honorary coin toss got more than 188,000 signatures.

The league stuck with its plans to honor former NFL player Pat Tillman, who retired prematurely after 9/11 and died serving in Afghanistan. But during the game, Donna Kelce sat next to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at the commissioner’s invitation.

Donna Kelce was scheduled to be involved with a Bud Light giveaway Wednesday at the Chiefs victory parade.

"It was just so cool, man, to get to see her celebrate in that in with us," Jason Kelce said of the weeklong festivities. "And it was an awesome moment. Just so happy for her and happy that she got her moment, Dad got his. So ironically, you lose a Super Bowl and you’re crying after the game and they’re not tears of sadness. You know, they’re tears of joy."

As Jason Kelce spoke, Travis Kelce wiped tears.

"I was boo-hoo crying all week," he said. "It was a pretty cool experience and America, the football world, I can’t thank you enough for jumping on board, enjoying our family the way you did, supporting our family the way you did. …

"I love you guys for it and I’ll remember that week and what led up to that game probably more than most of what happened that game."

Poking fun at Patrick Mahomes

At one point during the podcast, the Kelce brothers played the role of casting agents, discussing which actors would play them and other members of the Eagles and Chiefs if a movie were made.

Who would play Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes?

"I mean, the obvious answer is Kermit the Frog," Jason Kelce said.

Grinning, Travis Kelce replied: "Chill out man."

Jason Kelce shot back, "That’s what everybody says he sounds like. I’m not being mean about it."

Cleaning up 'Kelce Bowl' history

Jason Kelce denied published reports that after Super Bowl 57 he told his brother, "(Expletive) you, congratulations."

Travis Kelce laughed and said of the published reports, "I was like, 'Uh, I don’t remember that one.' I was at a loss for words (when the brothers met on the field), and you didn’t really say much, but I know you didn’t say (expletive) you."

Added Jason, "I didn’t say much because I wanted you to go celebrate with your team. I knew that you were going to feel bad for me and I didn’t want that."

Loose ends

Jason Kelce said his pregnant wife, who attended the game with her OBGYN, has not yet given birth. It likely will happen before he announces whether he'll retire before next season. He just completed his 12th season in the NFL.

"I don’t know the answer to that right now," said Jason Kelce, 35. "…We'll see. I’m going to let the batteries recharge. I’m exhausted, man. It’s a long season, mentally, physically, emotionally."

One guarantee: The brothers will continue to do their podcast in the offseason after a hiatus.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kelce brothers reflect on parents' time in Super Bowl 57 spotlight