On Sunday, one day before Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL, he and Travis Kelce attended a local Philadelphia fundraiser in honor of an NFL fan who died of colon cancer last year. The fundraising event for Team Rectify was hosted in memory of Brendan McDermott, a 38-year-old Philadelphia Eagles enthusiast and father who died in May.
Brendan’s widow Meghan O’Brien McDermott and his sister-in-law Jess Viola, who founded Team Rectify, attended the Kelce brothers’ event on Sunday and shared images. “These two are awesome,” Viola wrote on Instagram. “I know Brendan is smiling down right now. Some legends wearing #teamrectify hats. If you haven’t donated yet, here’s your sign.”
Meghan, who said on Instagram that it is her life’s ambition to collect funds “in honor of Brendan to find less toxic treatments and, one day, a cure for colorectal cancer,” also posted photographs of the NFL brothers at the event on Sunday.
“Today, my sister @jesscviola gave some Team Rectify gear to @jason.kelce and @killatrav. Besides Anna and Otis, the @philadelphiaeagles were his next great loves of his life so it’s amazing to see one of his favorite players and his brother rock Team Rectify gear!”
According to the obituary, McDermott was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2018. “Despite countless surgeries, procedures, hospitalizations, treatments, and hours of travel between Philly and Memorial Sloan Kettering, Brendan always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude,” the memorial reads. “He never let cancer stop him from enjoying his life.”
McDermott died at home last May “shortly after giving his beloved daughter, Anne Reese, a goodnight kiss,” according to his obituary. At the McDermott memorial gathering on Sunday, his widow and sister-in-law smiled as they joined local firemen and posed for photos with Travis, 34, and Jason, 36. One of the photographs Meghan posted in her post showed Jason and her sister beaming as they hugged at the ceremony.
The benefit appearance comes at a crucial moment for both Kelce brothers. Sunday’s ceremony came one day before Jason announced his retirement from the NFL during a heartbreaking speech in front of his family. Meanwhile, Travis continues to travel the world to spend time with girlfriend Taylor Swift and celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
Travis recently went to Australia to spend time with Swift, 34, who was in the nation for four Eras Tour concerts. Swift’s tour continued in Singapore this weekend, while Travis returned to Philadelphia to spend time with his brother before his retirement announcement on Monday.
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Amy Cooper
