NFL Facing Backlash For Travis Kelce Decision

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their final game of the regular season, facing the Denver Broncos in Week 18. With the Chiefs already securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a bye in the NFL playoffs, quarterback

Patrick Mahomes and likely other stars on the team will not be playing. Last week, Kelce was able to break Hall of Famer Tony Gonzelez’s record for the most touchdown receptions in franchise history with 77 when the Chiefs faced the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. In celebration, the former Cincinnati Bearcats star dunked over the crossbar, which Gonzalez himself popularized. However, this has been banned by the league since 2014. On Saturday, one day before the season finale, the NFL hit Kelce with a $14,069 fine for his “unsportsmanlike conduct (use of a prop).”

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Although the celebration has been illegal in the league for over ten years, many NFL fans were left annoyed that Kelce was punished for such a minor offense. They took to social media to leave their thoughts.

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“The No Fun League strikes again,” one fan wrote. “The NFL is a joke,” added another. “14k?????? What the hell has that league become its such a joke now,” commented a third. “NFL just being a with ‘fines’ like this. Smh,” said a fourth.

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The dumbest fine to date,” chimed in a fifth. “So ridiculous! honoring another player is not unsportsmanlike conduct,” posted a sixth. Kelce wasn’t the only Kansas City player punished after the game against Pittsburgh. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was hit with a $14,069 fine for “unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture),” and safety Jaden Hicks received a $5,151 penalty for a “taunt.” Kelce finished the game recording eight catches for 84 yards and one touchdown. Now, with him doubtful against the Broncos, it seems likely he won’t see the field until the divisional round of the playoffs in a few weeks.