Donna Kelce Says It’s a Good Thing Son Travis Kelce Is ‘Very Coachable’ Ahead of His Acting Debut in Grotes…see more

Donna Kelce Says It’s a Good Thing Son Travis Kelce Is ‘Very Coachable’ Ahead of His Acting Debut in Grotesquerie (Exclusive)
Donna exclusively tells PEOPLE that Travis making his acting debut “is something he’s always had in the back of his mind”

Donna Kelce says it is a very good thing that her NFL star son Travis Kelce is “very coachable” before his acting debut.

Donna, who is also mother to Jason Kelce attended the FX series Grotesquerie’s New York City premiere on Monday, Sept. 23, in support of Travis’ new role.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, was not at the event, which took place the day after his team beat the Atlanta Falcons 22-17.

Donna, 71, exclusively tells PEOPLE while at the event she’s “not really” nervous to see Travis’ acting debut.

“I’ve been watching these guys for years, ever since they were 3 years old on the field or playing sports or band or whatever at school — in plays,” she says. “You know, it’s just a mom watching her kids.”

Although this is Travis’ scripted TV debut, Donna is not surprised he joined the series. “I think this is something he’s always had in the back of his mind,” she says.

“He’s very coachable. That’s one good thing he does,” she continues. “But I just think that he thought, ‘If I get an opportunity [like this], I would like to try.’ ”

Travis is “pretty good at just about anything he does because he’s got a good work ethic,” Donna says.

Travis’ Grotesquerie costar, Niecy Nash-Betts, echoed Donna’s statement and told PEOPLE at the premiere that the Super Bowl champion was “very professional” and “always came prepared” to set.

“Travis was very open. He was very open on if there was a note given or a suggestion given. So amenable. ‘Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what your thought is on this,’ ” she told PEOPLE. “I love that he didn’t come in trying to act like, ‘I know everything and I know it all.’

Nash-Betts, 54, stars as Detective Lois Tryon, who witnesses a “series of heinous crimes” in a small city that feels “eerily personal,” in the Ryan Murphy-written and created series. The details of Travis’ character remain unknown.

Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville also star as Nash-Betts’ onscreen husband Marshall and Nurse Redd, respectively. Micaela Diamond, Raven Goodwin and Nicholas Alexander Chavez round out the main cast.

Grotesquerie premieres its first two episodes on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX.