Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce faced criticism from NFL fans for his reaction following his team’s narrow victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday.
The Chiefs continued their run as one of the sloppiest 11-1 teams the league has ever produced, recovering a botched snap in the closing seconds of a game in which Las Vegas was trying to get in field goal position. Vegas would go on to lose the game, 19-17.
With the win, the Chiefs secured a playoff spot.
Instead of celebrating with his team or shaking hands with the Raiders, Kelce quickly left the field and headed down the tunnel. And football fans surely noticed.
Travis Kelce showed no class after Chiefs-Raiders. Was already back in the tunnel as time expired and didn’t shake hands with anyone. pic.twitter.com/kD8aC8jaum
— The Homelander (@HomelanderNot7) November 30, 2024
Travis Kelce’s Unsportsmanlike Conduct With The Raiders
Travis Kelce’s actions were widely perceived as lacking sportsmanship. Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby commented on Kelce’s hasty exit, noting, “His a** took off.”
But it was fans on social media who had the most cutting responses to the three-time Super Bowl champion.
“Travis Kelce continues to put the a** in class. Didn’t shake hands after the game. Straight to the locker room. Probably went to get friendship bracelets for the refs,” one fan wrote. “Just retire already loser. Your concussed head is clearly not in it.”
“I don’t know why everyone scared to talk about Travis Kelce. He’s such a little girl,” another fan fired back. “He’s not even shaking hands after winning a football game. He’s walking straight down the tunnel without having any sportsmanship.”
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It’s Been A Tough Year
Despite having seven receptions for 68 yards, Kelce’s performance was lackluster, and he missed a chance to become the Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer. He needed just one touchdown.
Fans on social media expressed disappointment, calling Kelce’s behavior “petty” and criticizing him for not showing respect to the opposing team.
His reaction comes amid a season in which Kelce has not been at his best, and the Chiefs have struggled to find their usual form despite finding ways to win nearly every week.
Kelce has 637 yards receiving (28th in the league) and just 2 touchdowns, well below his typical production.
To be fair, I’d be running straight to the locker room if I had the Uncle Rico Special haircut from Sport Clips, too.
On the other side of the ball, Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers had a stellar day, hauling in 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. It would have been nice for the veteran to go over to the rookie and offer him some words of praise.