Official 'Olympics Dad' invites US women's hockey team to his house to celebrate after White House drama

Richard Kiley, a 60-year-old man in a black long-sleeve shirt, stands in front of the Olympic rings

In a now-viral video of Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel celebrating the Olympic victory of the United States men’s hockey team over the weekend, President Donald Trump makes a cameo over the phone.

He invites the players to the White House for a visit.

“I must tell you, I’m going to have to bring the women’s team too, you know,” the president is heard on speaker phone, in a mocking tone.

The gold-medal-winning team breaks out in hysterics, their laughter bouncing against the walls of a locker room.

“If I don’t, they might impeach me,” Trump quips.

About a day later, headlines broke that the women's hockey team declined the president’s invitation.

But the women’s hockey team — which also won gold in Milan — deserves to be celebrated.

In addition to Olympic hype man and rapper Flavor Flav, who invited the women’s team to “a real celebration,” a new Olympic figure has extended the team an invitation of his own.

The US women's hockey team huddles on the ice
Kiley's view of the U.S. women's hockey team at the Olympics. Photo courtesy of Richard Kiley/Instagram

Richard Kiley, a 60-year-old dad from Ohio, traveled to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He shared updates with his child, Beks, a content creator who relayed his Olympic commentary to followers. 

Following a handful of viral — and incredibly wholesome — updates from Richard, Beks took to TikTok and asked if any media organizations were looking for a “dad correspondent” to cover the Olympics.

The Gist, a women-led sports media brand, answered the call.

Soon, Kiley was named “The Official Dad of the Olympics,” providing a “Dad View” camera angle on a number of events. His favorite? The U.S. women’s hockey team.

“I took my daughters to a women’s hockey game at Ohio State University, and they were playing in this old arena … We showed up, and there were more players and coaches in that place than there were fans,” Kiley reflected in a video about the growth of women’s hockey.

“Now it’s 2026, and you saw the excitement tonight and the support for women’s hockey,” he said after the team’s quarterfinal match against Italy. “After this Olympics, I hope it doesn’t fizzle, this excitement.”

While it seems their male peers might not take them as seriously as Kiley, he’s determined to make sure the U.S. women’s hockey team feels celebrated.

Beks posted a video Monday afternoon, with their dad on speaker phone.

“Congratulations on your gold medal win, U.S.A. women’s hockey team,” he said. “Since you’re not going to the White House, you’re welcome to come to my house here in Ohio.”

Beks laughed and said his house probably couldn’t accommodate the whole team. He stayed persistent and offered up his sister’s place instead.

“Kathy … she has a huge, beautiful property,” he trailed off. “I’ll find out when she’s out of town.”

@how_did_this_get_here If I am being honest, he is probably already out getting decorations for it because of how this all how panned out last time with my "connections"... @Hilary Knight @The PWHL @Welcome to the Party Show @Team USA @The GIST @Togethxr #dadview #womenssports @Jocks In Jills ♬ original sound - Beks

While it might seem like a joke, Beks affirmed that “he’s probably already getting out decorations.”

The hockey team hasn't RSVP'ed to Kiley’s invitation, but during the Games, U.S. women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight shared a personal message, thanking him for his support.

“Hey Richard, congratulations for being the official dad of the Olympics — that’s pretty epic,” Knight said in the video. “Thank you so much for supporting us and championing women’s sports.”

For Beks, it’s a treat to see their dad on the world stage, but he’s still the same loving, accepting father he’s always been.

“This story just proves that the world needs to see kindness right now, and that people want to be kinder to one another,” Beks told People Magazine

“It means so much that people get to see my dad for the guy I've always known him to be. He’s seeing the dreams he instilled in my sister and me as kids come true — watching women’s sports on the biggest stage, getting the attention and crowds they deserve.”

You may also like: This figure skating-STEM school hybrid breaks barriers for girls of color: 'They are changemakers'

Header image courtesy of Richard Kiley/Instagram

Article Details

February 24, 2026 11:29 AM
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