The Chiefs tight end was captured tossing the Ravens kicker’s equipment out of the way for Patrick Mahomes
Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. PHOTO: HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES; SCOTT TAETSCH/GETTY IMAGES
Travis Kelce is addressing the headline-making pregame squabble he and Patrick Mahomes had with Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
On Wednesday’s episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs tight end, 34, shared his side of the story about the what happened before Sunday’s AFC Championship game when he tossed some of Tucker’s equipment off the field.
“Everybody talked about it, everybody had videos on it, it was all over Twitter,” Jason, 36, said as he introduced the topic before admitting that people were texting him throughout the game about it.
“I love how I’m getting painted as the bad guy for this,” Travis said of how the moment was interpreted. “Oh you’re definitely getting painted as the bad guy,” Jason agreed.
According to Travis, Tucker, 34, broke the “unwritten rule” that you “don’t interfere” with what the opposing team is doing during warmups before a game.
“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,” he explained. “It’s always — if you’re trying to go onto the other team’s designated area, you kinda stay out of their way.”
Travis continued, “If you wanna be a f—— d— about it, you keep your helmet and your football and your f—— kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up.”
Jason said that where Tucker had left his equipment was “actually kinda dangerous” for Mahomes, 28, before Travis added, “If you’re not gonna pick that up, I’ll happily move that for you.”
Travis Kelce talks to Patrick Mahomes before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.DAVID EULITT/GETTY IMAGES
The Philadelphia Eagles center said that the Ravens kicker “knew what he was doing,” and Travis then addressed Tucker’s comments on the incident – he told reporters on Monday that he thought it was “all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun.”
“Justin came out and he said it was more of a joking gesture … and I get it, he was kinda winking at me, being a d— about it, trying to get under the skin,” Travis said. “I get it, but me and Pat… We’ve been having the same mentality for this game all week long, man. And it was a, ‘You gotta go in there and have the right mind frame. Have the right mindset.’ And we just weren’t in a joking mood. We were ready to get after it.”
Travis concluded, “So Justin, sorry if we took it to a level that you didn’t think it’d get to. But if you’re gonna be a d—, I promise you, I can one-up you every time.”
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After breaking down the pre-game moment, the brothers both took the time to give credit where credit’s due for Tucker, who Jason called a “legendary kicker.”
“Arguably the best we’ve ever seen in the NFL, man,” Travis said.
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The Chiefs victory on Sunday finalized the matchup for Feb. 11’s Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, which will see the Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers.
On New Heights, Travis said that heading to the big game this year feels “a bit sweeter” than last year.
“This road to where we are now has been more of a challenge which means you have to overcome more which means it kinda means a little bit more,” he told his brother. “This one meant a lot, man.”