Travis Kelce Fires Back at Justin Tucker After Viral On-Field Confrontation
On the latest episode of his New Heights podcast, Travis Kelce finally broke his silence on his pre-game disagreement with Justin Tucker on Sunday. The Chiefs tight end went viral after a video emerged of him tossing Tucker’s balls and helmet off of the field to make room for Patrick Mahomes’ warm-up.
Travis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet. ? pic.twitter.com/pFF0DC1yA7
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024
Tucker explained his side of the story to reporters on Monday, telling them he’s had the same pre-game ritual for over a decade and has never once had an issue with another team.
“I’ve been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never had a problem with anybody,” he said. “I saw Patrick there trying to warm up and get some dropbacks. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet.
“I happily got up and moved my helmet out of the way, at least I thought it was enough out of the way. And then Travis comes over and he just kicks my stuff, he throws my helmet. I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun. But they seemed to be taking it a little more seriously.”
On the most recent episode of New Heights, Kelce snapped back at Tucker’s version of events. “I love how I’m being painted as the bad guy for this,” Kelce laughed before saying it’s an “unwritten rule” of the game that opposing teams will stay out of each other’s way even while sharing the field for a warm-up.
Alternately, Kelce said, “If you want to be a f–king dick about it, you keep your helmet, and your football, and your f–king kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up and they’re dropping, eyes are looking left, and they’ve got a helmet down by their feet.”
Kelce said he understood from Tucker’s demeanor that the Baltimore Ravens star was trying to be funny. But the Chiefs weren’t in a playful mood on Sunday.
“Justin said it was more of a joking gesture, and I get it. He was kinda winking at me, being a dick about it. Trying to get under the skin,” Kelce said. “We just weren’t in a joking mood. We were trying to get after it.”
Kelce apologized to Tucker, but more for the controversy than his reaction. “Sorry if we took it to a level you didn’t think it would get to, but if you’re gonna be a dick, I promise you, I can one-up you every time,” he said.
The seriousness with which Kelce and the rest of the Chiefs handled Sunday’s proceedings served them well in the end. They prevailed over the Ravens 17–10, clinching the end of Baltimore’s season and punching Kansas City’s ticket to the Super Bowl. It’s the fourth time in the last five years that the Chiefs have made it to the Super Bowl.
You can check out the latest episode of New Heights below.
