Travis Kelce Fined $14K for Inappropriate Gestures During Chiefs Game
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end, has been fined $14,491 by the NFL for making inappropriate gestures during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14. The incident occurred after Kelce celebrated a 23-yard run by mimicking juggling his own testicles, a move that was perceived as a taunt towards the opposing team.
Initially overlooked by game officials, the gesture was captured on camera and quickly circulated online, prompting league officials to take action. This fine adds to what has already been a challenging start to the season for Kelce and the Chiefs.
During the same game, Kelce was also caught on a live microphone expressing frustration to his teammates, stating, “I’m sick of this s***,” just before a commercial break. The Chiefs ultimately fell to the Eagles with a score of 20-17, marking their worst start since 2014 with an 0-2 record.
Kelce's performance has come under scrutiny, particularly after a critical mistake in the fourth quarter. He failed to secure a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, leading to an interception by Andrew Mukuba of the Eagles. This turnover allowed Philadelphia to score, extending their lead to 20-10.
Shannon Sharpe, a former tight end for the Chiefs, criticized Kelce's performance on his podcast, “Nightcap.” He remarked, “Kelce has been lazy. He’s getting lazy with his head and he’s getting lazy with his eyes.” Sharpe emphasized that Kelce needed to be more alert and proactive on the field, especially in crucial moments.
Sharpe further pointed out that Kelce's lack of focus cost the team valuable points, stating, “You took points off the board. In other words, you don’t get points and they go down and they get points.” His comments reflect a growing concern about the team's overall performance.
Additionally, Sharpe expressed that Mahomes requires more support from his teammates, asserting, “There is nothing special about anybody on that team right now offensively other than Patrick Mahomes.” This sentiment underscores the challenges facing the Chiefs as they navigate the early part of the season.
Kelce himself has acknowledged the difficulties he and his team are experiencing. On his podcast “New Heights,” he stated, “I know it’s kinda sounding like a broken record from last year’s Super Bowl, but that’s on us as leaders. I’ll take the most accountability myself. I wasn’t ready for that first drive.” His candid admission highlights the pressure he feels as a leader on the team.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Kelce and the Chiefs to see how they respond to these challenges and whether they can turn their fortunes around.
