Jason Kelce’s Priceless Reaction to Laila Edwards Claiming She’s the ‘Best Athlete to Come Out of Cleveland Heights’ After Winning Gold — Internet Explodes Over His Reaction

Cleveland Heights, Ohio — Fresh off her historic gold medal win with Team USA women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, 22-year-old Laila Edwards made a bold and playful declaration that has the internet buzzing.

During a recent appearance on Kylie Kelce’s podcast “Not Gonna Lie,” Edwards — who became the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in ice hockey — introduced herself with a grin: “Hi, I’m Laila Edwards. Not gonna lie, I’m the best athlete to come out of Cleveland Heights.”

The comment was a lighthearted jab at the small Ohio town’s most famous exports: NFL stars and brothers Travis and Jason Kelce, both Cleveland Heights natives who have long supported Edwards’ career.

From off-camera, Jason Kelce — the retired Philadelphia Eagles center who cheered Edwards on in person during the Games alongside his wife Kylie — responded instantly and good-naturedly: “No objection!”

The exchange, captured in a promo clip, quickly went viral, with fans praising Kelce’s humble, hilarious concession and Edwards’ confidence after her Olympic triumph. Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game, where Edwards contributed an assist on the tying goal.

Cleveland Heights has rallied around Edwards, celebrating her as a hometown hero who overcame barriers and inspired a new generation in the sport. The Kelce brothers previously donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe that helped send her family to Milan to watch her compete.

Social media erupted with memes, laughing emojis, and comments like “Jason knows when he’s been dethroned” and “Cleveland Heights just leveled up.”

The moment underscores the tight-knit pride in the community that produced both Super Bowl champions and now an Olympic trailblazer.

Edwards’ gold medal performance, combined with Kelce’s gracious reaction, has turned friendly hometown rivalry into feel-good viral gold.