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TRAVIS Kelce isn’t the only person in his family gearing up to capitalize on a surge of popularity.

The U.S. Sun revealed the Kansas City Chiefs star’s moves, both on and off the field with girlfriend Taylor Swift, have seen him bring him a host of potential new sponsors.

However it’s not just Travis feeling the Swift effect, it’s taking mom Donna along for the ride too, and the 71-year-old can expect to be busy in the coming months.

A source close to the Kelce family has informed The U.S. Sun that several sponsors are queuing up to collaborate with Mama Kelce.

Donna, a former banking executive, has already been working with the likes of Pillsbury, KIND snacks, and Barefoot wine.

Insiders claim that Donna has been approached by investors to launch her nationwide Mama Kelce cookie brand, with a substantial $5 million budget in the offing.

She doesn’t currently have a brand named after her, but ‘Mama Kelce’ has a nice ring to it

There’s optimism that the business could become a smash hit — and this journey might be available for viewing in your living room.

One TV company is planning a reality show about Mrs. Kelce’s life as a mother to two NFL superstars.

Another channel is championing the idea of a “cookie travel show,” which would see Donna travel up and down the country in search of the finest treats around.

Donna appears to be very comfortable in the limelight, with the insider claiming she’s “naturally a target for big brands because she represents family values, by being a loving and caring mother.”

“She’s always smiling, thinking of others, and has two sons who are NFL stars with excellent reputations,” the source told The U.S. Sun.

“It’s a perfect combo.”

Several other deals are reportedly in the works, including $1 million a year from Hershey and an extended Ziploc contract — she signed a $300,000 agreement for the recent Super Bowl — which would rake in $2 million over two years.

Skechers is also interested in having her take up an ambassadorial role, worth $3.6 million over three years.

“It’s only the beginning for her, and it’s no surprise at all that so many brands are wanting to work with her,” the insider concluded.

“She is a role model.”

Kansas City All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce had a rough road to the NFL. When he was a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati in 2010, the team suspended him for the season over his pot use. This led to Kelce being drafted by the Chiefs in the third round (not the first) in 2013 with the 63rd pick.

Kelce was viewed as a “trainwreck character-wise,” according to one scout then.

The Ohio native noted all of this on his Saturday Night Live debut as a host on March 4.

During the monologue, Kelce first explained how he was booted from the Cleveland Heights high school football team because he failed French “…and English too, but French sounds way better.”

His older brother Jason, who’s an offensive lineman for the Eagles, preceded Travis on the U. of Cincinnati team. Kelce went on:

“Then, when we were at college I actually got kicked off the team becasue I tested positive for marijuana.

“So it just goes to show you: If you smoke weed and you’re bad at school, you can win the Super Bowl twice!”

Kelce’a SNL appearance followed the Chiefs’ recent comeback victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII during which he caught a touchdown pass. KC also won the Bowl with Kelce’s help in 2019.

With the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, Kelce has become the NFL’s preeminent tight end, regularly catching passes and carrying defenders as he runs for extra yards. He’s been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times and has seven consecutive seasons gaining more than 1,000 yards.

Kelce’s a force and is one of the main reasons – along with the team’s QB Patrick Mahomes – that KC has dominated the NFL over the last five years. Mahomes to Kelce has become the equivilent of Tom Brady tossing passes to Gronk and winning Bowl after Bowl.

Kelce’s college suspension happened “on the eve of the 2010 Sugar Bowl,” which the Bearcats lost to the Tim Tebow-led Florida Gators, 51-24. He had just one catch in that game.

Clearly, Kelce has come a long way, from his humble Ohio upbringing to some of the biggest stages in the world.

Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end Travis Kelce finds himself under the microscope as speculation swirls regarding the authenticity of his highly publicized relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift. The couple, who have been captivating fans with their glamorous appearances and affectionate displays, now face questions about the sincerity of their romance.

 

 

Kelce, known for his charismatic personality both on and off the football field, has been dating Swift for a significant period, with their relationship often making headlines across entertainment and sports media. However, recent scrutiny has led some to question the true nature of their connection.

Fans and pundits alike have been quick to analyze the couple’s public interactions, scrutinizing their body language and social media presence for clues about the authenticity of their romance. Some skeptics suggest that their relationship might be more about publicity and mutual benefit than genuine affection.

The speculation intensified following reports of Kelce’s past relationships and his reputation as a charming and eligible bachelor. Critics argue that Kelce’s history as a highly sought-after athlete and celebrity might influence his motivations in his current relationship with Swift.

However, supporters of the couple dismiss these claims, emphasizing the genuine affection and compatibility they see between Kelce and Swift. They point to the couple’s shared interests, mutual support, and the happiness they appear to bring each other as evidence of the authenticity of their romance.

As the debate rages on, Kelce and Swift have remained relatively tight-lipped about the speculation surrounding their relationship. Both have chosen to focus on their respective careers and personal lives, opting not to engage directly with the rumors and gossip circulating in the media.

Ultimately, only Kelce and Swift themselves know the true nature of their relationship. Whether their love is genuine or merely a product of fame and circumstance remains a topic of debate among fans and observers alike. As the couple continues to navigate the spotlight, they will undoubtedly face continued scrutiny about the sincerity of their romance.

A recently resurfaced video clip depicting a tender moment between Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his former girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, has reignited curiosity and speculation among fans, particularly regarding the reaction of Kelce’s current partner, pop sensation Taylor Swift.

 

The video, which has been circulating on social media platforms, captures an intimate exchange between Kelce and Nicole, showcasing their affectionate bond during their relationship. The footage, originally shared by a fan account, has sparked discussions about the dynamics between Kelce and Nicole, especially in light of Kelce’s high-profile romance with Swift.

Travis Kelce, known for his prowess on the football field and his charismatic persona off it, dated Kayla Nicole for several years before their relationship reportedly ended in 2020. Since then, Kelce has been in a highly publicized relationship with Taylor Swift, with the couple often making headlines for their glamorous outings and public displays of affection.

The resurfacing of the video has prompted speculation about how Taylor Swift might react to seeing her current beau in such a heartfelt moment with his ex-girlfriend. While neither Kelce nor Swift has commented publicly on the video, fans have been quick to weigh in on social media, offering their opinions on the potential implications for Kelce and Swift’s relationship.

Some fans speculate that Swift may feel insecure or jealous upon seeing Kelce’s past relationship showcased in such an intimate manner. Others argue that Kelce’s romantic history is irrelevant and that Swift likely trusts him enough to not be threatened by his past.

As the speculation swirls, one thing is clear: the resurfaced video has once again thrust Travis Kelce and his romantic entanglements into the spotlight, sparking curiosity and debate among fans about the complexities of love, fame, and relationships in the public eye. Only time will tell how Kelce and Swift navigate this latest twist in their high-profile romance.

Taylor Swift’s close family are understood to be ‘relieved’ that she is dating Travis Kelce – because they are confident that the 6’5 NFL star can ‘keep her safe’ in the wake of her father’s altercation with a photographer in Sydney.

At 250lbs, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis could almost be mistaken for Taylor’s security personnel, and her family are said to be delighted that he doubles up as a ‘built in bodyguard.’

‘Taylor’s family and everyone who knows her is so relieved by her relationship with Travis – not only because she is madly in love but also because he makes her security personnel job much easier,’ a source exclusively told DailyMail.com.

‘Travis is a big dude and no one would mess with him because, when it comes to Taylor, he would not play if someone tried to come near her. She has a built-in bodyguard at all times.’

Taylor Swift’s family members are delighted that the singer is dating Travis Kelce, because they believe the 6’5 NFL star can protect her

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis could almost be mistaken for the hitmaker’s security personnel when they pair step out in public together

Travis stands at an impressive 6’5 and weighs 250lbs – making him the ideal defender for the popstar

They continued: ‘Travis has vowed to keep her safe and there is no doubt about this.

‘No one will try to come close to her when she is holding hands with her powerhouse boyfriend.’

The Super Bowl champion has talked previously on his New Heights podcast about his desire to look after his girlfriend, both 34, who he first started dating last summer.

Discussing whether he felt like ‘a security guard’ when they’re out and about in New York City, he told his cohost, and brother, Jason Kelce : ‘I feel like whenever I’m on a date, I’m always having the sense that I’m a man in the situation.

‘I’m protective, yeah, for sure. You always have to have that feeling or self-awareness, I guess.’

The NFL star has frequently been captured on camera subtly moving Taylor’s security team out of the way so he can safely shepherd the singer from one location to another.

The gestures have not gone unnoticed by her fans who have commented on Travis’ protective nature.

‘Travis is literally such a gentleman like the amount of times he touched her to make sure she was safe, and he let the bodyguard know he wanted to get his woman out of the car… Taylor Swift you deserve this,’ wrote one fan on X.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift enjoy a date night in NYC

Indeed, the Super Bowl champion, 34, has also expressed his desire to protect his partner in his comments since the relationship went public last year – pictured together in New York

A source said: ‘Travis is a big dude and no one would mess with him because, when it comes to Taylor, he would not play if someone tried to come near her. She has a built in bodyguard at all times’

Another joked: ‘The thing with Travis acting as Taylor’s personal bodyguard as well as her boyfriend is that I would be way more scared of him tackling me than any random bodyguard…’

Travis was said to be upset following a recent incident involving her father Scott Swift and an Australian photographer he was accused of  assaulting over his alleged ‘threatening’ behavior.

Scott, 71, was accused of striking Ben McDonald, 51, at a ferry wharf in the suburb of Neutral Bay at about 2.30am on Tuesday, after Taylor wrapped the Australian leg of her Eras tour.

Taylor’s team said the photographer ‘threatened to throw a female staff member into the water’.

Footage from the moments before the alleged altercation showed Scott walking up wharf while giving photographers the middle finger.

‘Travis wishes he had been with Taylor when her dad got into it with the photographer as he wants to protect her at all costs,’ a separate source told DailyMail.com.

‘He can’t wait for her to be back in the States so they can be together – and if anyone tries anything, he knows that photographers, or anyone else for that matter, wouldn’t dare come close to them if he was around as he is a very massive and intimidating guy.’

A spokeswoman for Taylor Swift told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.’

The athlete has been seen keeping Taylor away from zealous fans as the source added: ‘No one will try to come close to her when she is holding hands with her powerhouse boyfriend’

Taylor’s family are said to be ‘relieved’ to see her with someone that can ‘keep her safe’

Her departure comes just hours after her father Scott (center right), 71, was accused of striking photographer Ben McDonald, 51, in Australia at about 2.30am on Tuesday

However, Mr McDonald – the chief executive of Matrix Media Group – slammed the statement as ‘utter rubbish’ and said the only female at the scene was Taylor.

‘This is the sort of bulls**t I might expect,’ he said. ‘Which female was that? The only one there was Taylor.’

Mr McDonald said the altercation was caught on camera and did not show the photographers acting aggressively.

An investigation into the alleged incident has been launched by the North Shore Police Command.

Scott has been a fixture by his daughter’s side throughout her sold-out Eras tour.

He has been praised for handing out sandwiches in the middle of a Sydney show, telling fans to ‘help yourselves.’

He also handed out VIP passes so excited fans would have access to better seats.

blink-182 made sure to show their support for Taylor Swift despite their shows facing off with competing dates in Sydney amid their Australian tours.

The American pop-punk band and the global megastar, 34, both performed at neighbouring shows in Sydney in a scheduling clash last Friday and Saturday night.

While Taylor took to the stage at the Accor Stadium for her first two of four shows, blink-182 performed just next door at the Qudos Bank Arena.

Mark Hoppus briefly nipped over to the Accor Stadium as he trolled Swifties as they entered the venue, but he has since proven there is no bad blood between them.

He took to Instagram to share snaps of himself posing backstage with Taylor at her concert, while Tom DeLonge also attended Taylor’s Sunday show.

blink-182 showed their support for Taylor Swift despite their shows facing off with competing dates in Sydney (pictured: Mark Hoppus and his wife Skye with Taylor)

But Travis Barker did not appear to have attended any of her shows, amid Taylor’s long-running feud with his wife Kourtney Kardashian’s sister Kim.

Kourtney has previously weighed in and firmly sided with her sister when the dispute first kicked off over Kanye West’s 2016 song including vulgar lyrics about the star.

However, blink-182’s Mark and Tom proved there was no tension as they both took to social media to gush over Taylor amid her sell-out Sydney Eras tour concerts.

Despite their clashing shows, the pair both took the time to support Taylor while they were all in the same city, and shared snaps to Instagram from the occasion.

Mark, 51, shared a selfie of himself and his wife Skye Everly grinning for a snap with Taylor, who was dressed in her on-stage glitzy gold leotard, backstage.

The trio also all wrapped their arms around each other as they smiled for the cameras, with Taylor looking ready to go on stage in her sparkling outfit.

Proving their was no bad blood, he took to Instagram to share snaps of himself posing backstage with Taylor at her concert alongside his wife Skye

Last week, Tom had headed over to the Accor Stadium to jokingly troll Swifties for not attending blink-182’s concert next door instead.

In the video, shared to Instagram, the punk rocker said: ‘I’m about to go on stage and I’m really disappointed in everybody here because this is the Taylor Swift show.’

He then filmed some of Taylor’s fans as he playfully called out to them: ‘You should have gone to see Blink! Could’ve seen Blink 182 tonight. Just saying.’

Many Swifties did not notice Mark, but the few that did looked perplexed or amused by his outburst.

Meanwhile, his bandmate Tom, 48, took to Instagram to reveal that he had been in the crowds at Taylor’s Eras show on Sunday – after blink-182’s Sydney gigs came to a close on Saturday night.

He shared a snap of himself posing with comedian Rebel Wilson as they stood in the crowds ahead of the concert, with Tom showing his support for her Eras tour – which wrapped up in Australia on Monday night.

Tom DeLonge also attended Taylor’s show on Sunday alongside Rebel Wilson after blink-182 wrapped up their own two-night run of shows in Sydney

Ahead of their shows kicking off, Mark also took to Instagram to share a playful post of himself and Tom grinning alongside Taylor in an edited snap, though Travis wasn’t featured

Ahead of their shows kicking off, Mark also took to Instagram to share a playful post of himself and Tom grinning alongside Taylor in an edited snap, though Travis wasn’t featured.

With the Sydney Opera House superimposed in the background, they joked in a caption of their clashing shows: ‘We are definitely definitely definitely getting back together.’

blink-182 have previously covered Taylor’s smash hit We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, putting their own punk spin on the pop anthem.

Taylor recently reignited her feud with Kardashians star Kim as she slammed her for ‘taking her down psychologically’ in a TIME interview in December.

Their long-running feud started when Kim’s then-husband Kanye West wrote a 2016 song to include vulgar lyrics about the rising star.

The American pop-punk band and the global megastar (pictured), 34, both performed at neighbouring shows in Sydney in a scheduling clash last Friday and Saturday night

Travis Barker (pictured with Kourtney) did not appear to have attended any of her shows, amid Taylor’s long-running feud with his wife Kourtney Kardashian’s sister Kim

He claimed Taylor had consented to the reference but, after denying it, Kim weighed in and released what the pop star described as ‘an illegally recorded phone call’ between the pair which she claimed proved otherwise.

At the time, Kim’s sister Kourtney – who is married to blink-182 drummer Travis – weighed in and firmly side with her sibling amid the drama.

She told Cosmopolitan in 2016: ‘It’s her husband, and he’s family. The truth is the truth, so why not let it be known?’

In her recent TIME interview, Taylor said that the public fallout said it felt like ‘a career death,’ adding: ‘Make no mistake — my career was taken away from me.’

Discussing the aftermath and the brutal toll that it took on her well-being, Taylor told the outlet: ‘You have a fully manufactured frame job, in an illegally recorded phone call, which Kim Kardashian edited and then put out to say to everyone that I was a liar.

Their long-running feud started when Kim’s then-husband Kanye West wrote a 2016 song to include vulgar lyrics about the rising star, and Kourtney has previously weighed in on the row

‘That took me down psychologically to a place I’ve never been before. I moved to a foreign country. I didn’t leave a rental house for a year. I was afraid to get on phone calls.’

During that period, she all but vanished from the public eye, something that she says came as a result of the Kardashian and West fallout.

‘I pushed away most people in my life because I didn’t trust anyone anymore. I went down really, really hard.’

Most of the pop icon’s next album Reputation, released in 2017, was aimed at her experience during the ordeal.

One very lucky family got the chance to meet Taylor Swift and pose for photos with the megastar after one of performances in Sydney last week.

The memorable moment was a dream come true for chef and nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullin, who shared videos and photos from backstage at the sold-out concert with her 31,800 Instagram followers earlier this week.

Zoe posted a photo of her and her family posing the American singer backstage in front of a grey brick wall.

The Cruel Summer songstress wore casual clothing, including a pink T-shirt and black denim shorts, after belting out hits from her 10-album discography for three and a half hours onstage.

Her stage makeup was also stripped back, and her hair appeared sweaty after the marathon 44-song extravaganza.

Zoe Bingley-Pullin and her family got the chance to meet Taylor Swift and pose for photos with the megastar after one of performances in Sydney last week

‘Such a magical night meeting the incredibly talented and kind-hearted Taylor Swift!‘ Zoe captioned her post.

‘Grateful for unforgettable moments with my daughter and what a brilliant role model she is.’

Fans in the comments were shocked how Zoe and her family managed to score access to the Grammy-winning singer.

The mother revealed ‘a lovely friend’ organised the meet and greet as part of her daughter’s birthday gift.

‘How wonderful! She really is the most amazing, shining example to us all. I love her kindness and the joy she brings,’ one fan commented.

The Cruel Summer songstress wore casual clothing, including a pink T-shirt and black denim shorts, after belting out hits from her 10-album discography for three and a half hours onstage. Her stage makeup was also stripped back, and her hair appeared sweaty after the marathon 44-song extravaganza

Taylor wrapped up the Australian leg of her Eras tour on Monday after playing to more than 600,000 fans across Melbourne and Sydney. Pictured: Taylor Swift performing in Melbourne

‘How fabulous lucky girl,’ added another.

Taylor wrapped up the Australian leg of her Eras tour on Monday after playing to more than 600,000 fans across Melbourne and Sydney.

A record-breaking 96,000 fans attended each of her three nights in Melbourne, while Sydney attracted a further 83,000 Swifties at each of her four shows.

The pop sensation reportedly earned $25million per Sydney show.

Taylor also injected a whopping $145m into the NSW economy, as thousands of local and interstate fans flocked to the city for the must-see event of the year.

She is now in Singapore for three concerts on March 2, 3 and 4.

Taylor Swift emotional at Aussie fan’s sweet gesture during her song

A record-breaking 96,000 fans attended each of her three nights in Melbourne, while Sydney attracted a further 83,000 Swifties at each of her four shows. Pictured: Taylor Swift performing in Melbourne

The mother who was invited by Taylor Swift’s dad to join the VIP tent has spoken out about the heartwarming moment.

The touching gesture occurred at Swift’s final Sydney concert on Monday – just hours before Scott ‘Papa’ Swift allegedly assaulted a local photographer.

Central Coast local Katie Patching was seated in a restricted view section with her three daughters aged four, six and 13.

The mother told Triple M’s Paddy & Maz that she had to hold her two youngest daughters by her hip because they could not see the singer: ‘I just had to chuck them on my hip because they couldn’t see anything,’.

‘Security just came over to us and said, “Do you want to come into VIP with Scott Swift?” It didn’t really register to be honest. I was just so focused on the stage,’ she shared.

The mother who was invited by Taylor Swift’s dad to join the VIP tent has spoken out about the heartwarming moment

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The mother of three revealed she burst into tears when Scott approached, praising the ‘sweet’ man: ‘They were so lovely. Like, Scott even was moving the seats forward to the front of the barrier for the girls, so they could be as close as possible.’

Katie told the radio hosts that Sabrina Carpenter was also present in the VIP section prompting her 13-year-old to ‘freak out’.

‘It’s something we will never forget. This is something we’ll be talking about in twenty years when the girls are older’.

The touching gesture occurred at Swift’s final Sydney concert on Monday – just hours before Scott ‘Papa’ Swift allegedly assaulted a local photographer

A TikTok Swiftie posted the clip to the platform, which shows Scott in the foreground of a packed crowd, chatting to security and then pointing out to the young mother and her kids.

The security guards then approached the mother and escorted her into the VIP section, on the orders of Swift.

Swifties praised Scott’s extraordinary act of kindness online.

‘No words for how awesome Scott Swift is,’ one fan gushed and a second person added: ‘I started crying. What a deserving mum.’

The mother of three revealed she burst into tears when Scott approached, praising the ‘sweet’ man: ‘They were so lovely. Like, Scott even was moving the seats forward to the front of the barrier for the girls, so they could be as close as possible,’

A TikTok Swiftie posted the clip to the platform, which shows Scott in the foreground of a packed crowd, chatting to security and then pointing out to the young mother and her kids

Mahomes was caught by the NFL

Patrick MahomesAP

Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, could not escape being caught by the NFL due to his speed in running the 40 yards.

As a very bad idea, Mahomes took to social media and asked NFL Network to stop using his 40-yard dash from the 2017NFL Scouting Combine and the exact opposite happened. Patrick only succeeded in drawing even more attention to the moment he sought to hide.

The NFL posted the video on its social media, comparing the 40-yard dash of Patrick Mahomes and Braden Fiske, a college defensive tackle who plays for Florida State Seminoles who weighs 297 pounds.

The league super-positioned the players in the same clip and Braden outperformed Mahomes. The Florida State defensive tackle ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds on Thursday. While Mahomes did it in 4.8 seconds. He also added 366-pound Texas Longhorns lineman T’Vondre Sweat running the sprint in 5.27 seconds in the video.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl winner all with the Chiefs, surely had a somewhat embarrassing time, but he is preparing for the upcoming NFL season while enjoying family time.

By naming Aaron Judge the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award winner, MLB recognized that Judge’s extraordinary contributions go even deeper than his homers.

When Judge traveled to Arizona to accept his award during the 2023 World Series, five past honorees were there to welcome him into a most exalted fraternity. Of the 54 Clemente Award winners, 21 are in the Baseball Hall of Fame, with others sure to join them. But their collective contributions to society outweigh even their greatest on-field achievements. (Photo Credit: MLB Photos)

Perhaps Aaron Judge should not have been surprised to learn that he had been named the recipient of Major League Baseball’s most prestigious individual honor, the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award.

Bestowed annually since 1971, when Willie Mays was named winner of the inaugural “Commissioner’s Award,” the Clemente Award recognizes the player who best represents the game on and off the field. Every year, each team nominates one of its own who exhibits extraordinary character, community involvement and philanthropy and positive contributions on the diamond.

Judge’s baseball accomplishments have already secured his place in Yankees lore. In 2022, he broke Roger Maris’ 61-year-old American League record by blasting 62 home runs. The five-time All-Star won his first AL MVP Award after that season, and he was named the 16th captain in Yankees history shortly thereafter.

But for as long as Judge has been impressing onlookers with his play, he has quietly carried himself in a way befitting of a Yankees captain and a Clemente Award winner. In college, Judge capped off the 2012 summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League by earning the Brewster Whitecaps’ Citizenship Award for being a positive team member. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of Major Leaguers such as Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia, who started their own charitable foundations. After reaching the Majors and earning 2017 AL Rookie of the Year honors, he huddled with his parents and laid the groundwork for the Aaron Judge All Rise Foundation, whose mission has been to inspire young people to become responsible citizens and future leaders.

Judge has embodied everything that Clemente stood for and was honored to be nominated for the award last September, but he never imagined what it would be like to win it. So, he was caught off guard when, a couple weeks after the 2023 regular season ended, he received a phone call from Yankees vice president of communications and media relations Jason Zillo, who asked the star outfielder if he was sitting down for the news he was about to hear.

“I’m like, ‘Is there a trade going on or something? Is something happening?’” Judge recalled. “He said, ‘You won the Roberto Clemente Award.’

“I was speechless.”

Judge shared that conversation during a press conference held in Arizona prior to Game 3 of the 2023 World Series. At Chase Field to help celebrate the newest Clemente Award winner were Commissioner Rob Manfred; Roberto Clemente’s sons, Luis Clemente and Roberto Clemente Jr.; and previous Clemente Award winners Jeter, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Harold Reynolds and John Smoltz.

“We talk about the Clemente Award being our highest honor,” Manfred said. “It is our highest honor, because it represents the combination of on-field excellence and service in our communities.

“Aaron, you are, like so many of your fellow players, a real credit to our game.”

Manfred highlighted some of the ways in which Judge has made an impact, from hosting Make-A-Wish kids at Yankee Stadium to conducting youth baseball and softball clinics to supporting the movement to make social media a more positive environment. The Commissioner was only scratching the surface, though. Spend some time exploring the All Rise Foundation’s website, or watching Judge interact with fans wherever he goes, or listening to the people in his orbit. What becomes evident is that helping others isn’t something he does — it’s who he is.

“I’ve never seen a gala like this. This is incredible.”

Judge smiled broadly as his mother, Patty Judge, handed him an oversized gavel, which he hoisted over his shoulder like a baseball bat, much to the amusement of the hundreds of people gathered at Cipriani Wall Street in January for the foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year. In attendance were familiar faces from nearly every stop along Judge’s journey — Yankees teammates, college coaches, apparel partners, childhood friends — all eager to support the foundation’s mission. Bidding on items such as a game of HORSE with Shaquille O’Neal, guests raised nearly $800,000 that will go toward initiatives such as All Rise’s mini-grant program, which has provided financial aid to more than two dozen community-based organizations in his home state of California and New York City.

Not long after Judge reached the Majors, he and his mother, Patty, launched the All Rise Foundation, which has impacted the lives of countless youth in myriad ways. Winning the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award gave them further inspiration to keep going. “Roberto’s legacy provides a path for us as an organization to emulate and learn from as we continue to grow,” said Patty Judge. (Photo Credit: New York Yankees)

But even those who lost out on auction items gained a deeper understanding of what makes Judge tick. Sharply dressed in a blue pinstriped suit, Judge spoke to the crowd about the importance of giving back in ways that have nothing to do with money.

“Every day we wake up, we’re gifted with a new opportunity: time,” he said. “I’ve learned over the years, time is the greatest item you could ever give or receive because it can’t be bought, you can’t take it back, and you never know how much of it you have left. When you guys reflect on your most impactful moment in your life, I’m sure it involves someone who paused and just poured a little bit of time into you. Whether it be a child learning a new skill or an adult sharing a moment of wisdom, passing on some knowledge, the currency of time is invaluable.

“I believe by providing kids with the right tools, opportunities and time, we’re setting them up to become the best version of themselves: better friends, better family members, better employers and employees. And, ultimately, better people in our community. Through the All Rise Foundation and our programs, we strive to achieve the legacy that will live long after I’m done on the baseball field.”