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Chiefs' Travis Kelce Blasts 'F--king D--k' Justin Tucker for AFC Title Pregame Spat

Doric SamJanuary 31, 2024

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The run-in between Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker before Sunday's AFC Championship Game became a viral moment that drew a ton of attention.

Kelce explained his side of the story while speaking with his brother Jason Kelce on Wednesday's episode of the New Heights podcast, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, saying he believes Tucker broke an unwritten rule when he was getting in the way of Mahomes' warm-up routine.

"If you're trying to go onto the other team's designated area, you kind of stay out of their way. You don't interfere with what they have going on. That's the unwritten rule," Kelce said. "If you want to be a f--king d--k about it, you keep your helmet and your football and your f--king kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up. ... Like, if you're not gonna pick that up, I'll happily move that for you."

Kelce did just that, throwing Tucker's helmet and kicking balls out of Mahomes' way. Mahomes also tossed Tucker's kicking tee out of the area.

James Palmer @JamesPalmerTV

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. πŸ˜‚ <a href="https://t.co/pFF0DC1yA7">pic.twitter.com/pFF0DC1yA7</a>

James Palmer @JamesPalmerTV

Patrick Mahomes and Justin Tucker going at it pregame πŸ˜‚. Mahomes keeps kicking Tuckers holder away. <a href="https://t.co/KeqhYyle4t">pic.twitter.com/KeqhYyle4t</a>

The Chiefs went on to defeat the Ravens 17-10 to earn their fourth trip to the Super Bowl in the last five years. Tucker said on Monday that he found the hubbub around the situation between him and Kansas City's star duo to be "kind of silly" and "not a big deal."

Jerry Coleman @sportswcoleman

Justin Tucker elaborates on pre game incident with <a href="https://twitter.com/tkelce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tkelce</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatrickMahomes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens</a> <a href="https://t.co/rrIsjWyvSl">pic.twitter.com/rrIsjWyvSl</a>

However, Kelce acknowledged the gamesmanship from Tucker and made it clear that he and Mahomes didn't find humor in the situation.

"Justin came out and he said it was more of a joking gesture, kind of a fun, competitive [moment]. And I get it, he was kind of winking at me, being a d--k about it, trying to get under the skin," he said. "I get it, but me and Pat, we were having the same mentality for this game all week long, man. And it was, you gotta go in there and have the right mindset, and we just weren't in a joking mood. We were ready to get after it."

Kelce went on to add that he understands if some people think he took things too far by tossing away Tucker's belongings, but he has no regrets about it.

"Justin, sorry if we took it to a level that you didn't think it would get to, but if you're gonna be a d--k, I promise you I can one-up you every time, dude," Kelce said with a laugh.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Kelce revealed that he "1000%" would've gotten a 15-yard penalty had Tucker missed a crucial field goal during the game:

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow

Justin Tucker was gonna beat your ass <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatrickMahomes</a> πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/6MzL2KW6qd">pic.twitter.com/6MzL2KW6qd</a>

Tucker was never put in that position, however. And ultimately, Kelce and Co. got the last laugh.