The NFL has punished Kansas City Chief star Travis Kelce for his unsportsmanlike behavior during last week’s clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chiefs succumbed to yet another crushing defeat against the Eagles in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl on Sunday, losing 20-17 in the Week 2 matchup.
And the misery has now been compounded for Kelce, who has been slapped with $14,491 fine, according to Tom Pelissero.
The NFL handed down the punishment for an ‘obscene gesture’ after making a 23-yard reception.
The tight end celebrated the massive gain by simulating juggling his private parts. The officials missed the move at the time but NFL HQ seemingly did not.
The 35-year-old wasn’t the only one to be fined from the Super Bowl grudge match. Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley was fined $46,371 for unnecessary roughness/use of the helmet.
The NFL has punished Kansas City Chief star Travis Kelce for his unsportsmanlike behavior
The tight end made an ‘obscene gesture’ after making a 23-yard reception against the Eagles
The running back lowered his head when bracing for a collision with Kansas City safety Chamarri Conner, and the crown of his helmet hit Conner in the facemask.
No flag was thrown on the play but the league later reviewed it and determined that further punishment was necessary.
Meanwhile, Kelce was left humiliated last Sunday as he admitted his drop in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles cost his team ‘big time’.
He failed to control a pass from Patrick Mahomes on the edge of the end zone and as the ball spilled out of his hands, Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba grabbed it and raced away. Trailing 13-10 at the time, Kelce would have given the Chiefs the lead if he had held on.
From the following play, the Eagles scored a touchdown to move into a 20-10 lead that the Chiefs failed to overturn, losing their Super Bowl rematch 20-17 at Arrowhead Stadium and falling to 0-2.
Discussing the moment with his older brother Jason on their New Height podcast, Kelce said: ‘The ball was where it needed to be, when it needed to be there. I’ve just got to get my head around out of the break and I shot you that text telling you that. It’s one of those plays where it happens like bang, bang.
Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley was also fined $46,371 for unnecessary roughness
‘I know that’s the window it needs to be in. I know it’s coming out of arm pits and ear holes and the offense and defensive lines getting their hands up. I’ve just got to be able to get my head around right now so I don’t put myself in a position to let the ball surprise me like that.’
He continued: ‘It’s frustrating man. I’ve scored on that play a million times in my life, obviously exaggerating, but it should never have happened and it cost us big time and that s*** hurts but we’ll get it fixed.’
Kelce insisted the blame is solely on his shoulders, adding: ‘I’ve got to be there for my guys, knowing they put a lot on my plate to be a good player for this team and I’ve got to f***ing answer that bell, man.’
It’s the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era that the Chiefs have gone 0-2 to start an NFL season. The Chiefs head to New York this weekend and take on the Giants in Sunday Night Football.
