Watch: Travis Kelce Goes on Profanity-Laced Rant About Justin Tucker as He Tries to Justify Tossing Kicker's Equipment
Editor’s Note: Our readers responded strongly to this story when it originally ran; we’re reposting it here in case you missed it.
The viral incident involving the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce engaging in a run-in with the Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker before the Chiefs’ AFC championship game victory at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 28 brought an explanation later in the week from Kelce.
Detailing the incident on the Jan. 31 “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, the Chiefs tight end claimed Tucker broke an unwritten rule regarding pregame practice and that prompted Kelce to toss his equipment aside.
The Ravens’ kicker said he set up near the opposing goal line as usual.
“I just wanted to explain that that’s just what I’ve done for 12 years and it’s not like I’m out there trying to be problematic,” Tucker said after the game. “I’m just trying to get ready for the football game just like they are.”
Kelce didn’t see it that way, telling his brother that Tucker invaded the Chiefs’ territory to play a competitive mind game.
He said the Chiefs players were focused on the game and in no mood to joke around.
“So we’re warming up,” Kelce said in the podcast. “And we do our same warm-up every single time on our side of the field.
“For those of you that don’t know what happens in pregames, the Ravens have their side of the field, and the Chiefs have our side of the field.
“Now specialists — because of, like, the wind factor and –”
“They go to both sides,” Jason Kelce interjected.
“They get a chance to kick at both field goals,” Travis Kelce continued, “and kind of punt from both sides of the field.”
If someone like a kicker goes to the opposition’s side of the field, “you kind of stay out of their way,” he said. “You know, you don’t interfere with what they have going on.”
“That is the unwritten rule,” Jason Kelce said.
“That’s the unwritten rule,” his brother responded. “If you want to be a f***ing d*** about it, you keep your helmet and your football and your f***ing kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up.”
He noted that in their warmups, quarterbacks’ eyes are scanning the field, implying — with Justin Kelce seconding — that a kicker’s stray helmet could be a hazard.
“If you’re not going to pick that up, I’ll happily move that for you,” Travis Kelce said.
“Justin came out and he said it was more of a joking gesture, kind of a fun competitive [thing]. And I get it. And he was kind of winking at me and being a d*** about it, trying to get under the skin.”
Travis Kelce and Mahomes were not amused. “Me and Pat, we’ve been having the same mentality for this game all week long, man,” he said. “And it was, you gotta go in there and have the right … mindset.
“And we just weren’t in a joking mood.”
WARNING: The following video contains language that may offend some viewers.
Both Kelce brothers complimented Tucker as an exceptional kicker. The eight-time All-Pro holds the all-time NFL records for field goal accuracy (90.2 percent) and distance (66 yards).
Travis Kelce said he didn’t want to be portrayed as a bully for tossing Tucker’s equipment.
“Don’t paint me as the bad guy,” he said.
After their 17-10 victory over the Ravens, the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. Kelce caught nine passes for 93 yards in the 25-22 overtime victory.
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