Before the Chiefs’ playoff game against the Texans in January, a host of celebrities headed to Kansas City. Two-time Golden Globe nominee Brooke Shields shared a photo of herself on the way to the game with Donna Kelce. They were joined by a bunch of other VIPs such as “Suits” star Gina Torres, actress Roselyn Sanchez, “Golden Bachelor” contestant Susan Noles, and others, as Donna hosted them for brunch. While the star-studded group had fun watching the Chiefs win at the Arrowhead stadium from a suite, they were in town for more serious business.

Donna Kelce is part of GSK’s THRIVE@50+ campaign which is aimed at “exploring the motivations that drive you to get ahead of potential health challenges” for those at the age of 50 or older. The campaign was launched last year and ahead of the divisional game at the Arrowhead, Kelce was accompanied by other celebs as they discussed an important health issue- shingles.

On Friday, Donna shared snippets from their brunch session back in January on her Instagram, while posting a helpful message to raise awareness about shingles. She wrote, “Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that can develop at any time, without warning. 99% of adults over 50 years old already have the virus that causes shingles inside their body, even though not everyone at risk will develop shingles.” She also urged people to “ask your doctor or pharmacist about your risk for shingles and about prevention.” While this appears Donna doing her bit to help people know more about the risk factors and create awareness about shingles, she also has a very personal reason to talk about it.

Almost a week before the session, she sat down with Brooke Shields to share details of her personal life and brought up how some of her friends have had to deal with shingles. “I’ve had a few friends that have developed shingles. It’s a very painful disease. You miss out on the most precious moments in your life because you cannot be the person you want to be because you’re in pain. If you do get this particular disease, it’s not an easy one,” she said.

The January 18 awareness campaign saw the celebs raise awareness about the risk of health challenges such as shingles and to make learning fun, Donna Kelce and Gina Torres brought their competitive spirit to a football toss game. Teaming up with Dr. Bayo, a family medicine physician, they tackled important health info with a mix of trivia, laughter, and friendly competition. Dr. Bayo tested their knowledge, “Name the virus that causes shingles”. Without missing a beat, Donna and Gina confidently answered, “Varicella Zoster.” Correct! Dr. Bayo further explained, “After chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in a person’s body. It can reactivate years later to cause shingles.” Then came another key question: “What is the most important risk factor for shingles?” The answer is age. “When we think of age, we have to think of the age 50,” Dr. Bayo emphasized.

After the questions, it was time for the real showdown: “We’re very competitive, so this could go either way,” Donna joked as they lined up their throws. The game was close, but in the end, Dr. Bayo played the ultimate referee, stating: “I’m going to declare both winners!”

Notably, Donna Kelce teamed up with GSK’s Thrive@50+ last year in September alongside other names such as Shields, Torres and Susan Knowles. Back then, Donna said that “everybody” needs to take ownership of their health, regardless of age, and added, “That’s the most important thing you can do.”

The NFL is always up with its stars raising awareness on important issues. From Crucial Catch promoting cancer screenings to players supporting mental health. Beyond the league itself, individual players have used their influence to drive change. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has supported mental health initiatives, while Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett has been vocal about heart health. But this time, it’s an NFL mom stepping up.

You can also find more information by following @thriveat50plus. As Donna and her brunch guests emphasized, being proactive today can save you from pain and complications down the road.

And while Mama Kelce was spreading awareness about shingles, her younger son was busy making some important career decisions. After much deliberation and waiting, Travis Kelce finally decided to extend his stay in Kansas City by at least one more year.

The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end recently faced swirling rumors about a potential retirement following a challenging Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Speculations arose about his future, considering factors like age and the physical demands of the game. However, he is returning for a 13th season with the Chiefs. But that doesn’t mean that the Chiefs are not keeping an eye on the future.

The Chiefs’ possible succession plan at TE following Kelce’s announcement

At 35, Kelce has endured the rigorous physical toll that comes with being an NFL tight end. The 2024 season was particularly tough, with Kelce recording career-low stats, including 823 receiving yards and only three touchdowns. These struggles led to introspection about his health and performance. Despite these challenges, Kelce’s passion for the game remained unwavering, motivating him to push forward.

Yet, the Chiefs are looking to have a succession plan in place for their TE position. Ayrton Ostly of USA TODAY projected the Chiefs to identify Kelce’s successor and eventual replacement in the draft. According to Ostly, the Chiefs could select LSU tight end Mason Taylor to fit the bill.

“This is one of the best tight end classes in years, and Taylor could be an heir apparent for Chiefs icon Travis Kelce. He brings a mix of physicality, body control, and athleticism packed into a 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame,” Ostly said. “His hands were very reliable and he thrived underneath in his college career for the Tigers. He wasn’t targeted much at LSU due to the more downfield nature of the Tigers’ offense, but is well-suited for the NFL level.”

Kelce’s return has significant implications for the Chiefs. His leadership and skill set are integral to the team’s offense. However, the organization is also planning for the future. This strategic move indicates the team’s foresight in maintaining a strong tight-end presence for years to come. It’s like they are already preparing, if Kelce dips out, they have someone to take over.