Three weeks in, and the Chiefs finally recorded a win. One could argue that there wouldn’t be a bigger talking point than the Chiefs finally taking home that W, but Andy Reid and Travis Kelce gave fans the biggest headline on week 3 when they had a heated exchange on the sideline. And it seems the tight end might’ve forced Reid into a new role.
In the post-game presser, Andy Reid did what he does best: played it down. “I love Travis’ passion, man. We need more of that,” Reid said. “He knows when to back off the pedal and when to push it, too. . . Sometimes I have to be the policeman.” No doubt, Reid would look good as a cop, too, as strictness suits him. However, for the games, the head coach clarified that the meltdown on the sidelines was fine. “We need some juice. So that’s good.”
Besides this, Reid even eased the moment with a joke, saying, “No, he was all in, he was all in. Listen, he’s an emotional guy….He’s Irish.” Andy Reid pulling Travis Kelce back in line said a lot. It showed just how much respect his players have for him, even when emotions are boiling over. No doubt, sports are intense, and Kelce has had moments like this before, so it wasn’t shocking to see him lose it, especially in a game where things weren’t really clicking for him.
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So here’s how it unfolded: Harrison Butker shanks a 40-yarder late in the second quarter, and the cameras quickly captured Andy Reid going full red face at Travis Kelce — yelling, pointing, and even throwing in a little sideline shoulder bump while he was at it. For context, Kelce was basically a ghost out there (two catches, four yards), and Reid was fed up watching drives die into field goals instead of touchdowns.
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And when Reid says that he sometimes has to take on the policeman role, it’s because of Kelce’s rather ‘passionate‘ persona. Andy Reid knows Travis Kelce’s little intricacies. He knows how to deal with him. After all, this is not their first altercation. These two have been at it before. Remember the Super Bowl LVIII blow-up after Kelce’s fumble? That got written off as nothing more than passion from a guy who cares. Hence, this one feels the same.
Reid’s lived with Kelce’s fire for years, knowing it’s part of what makes him tick as a leader. But every now and then, the HC has to yank the steering wheel back. “I’ve been through a lot of things with him, so that’s all part of it. I love that he loves to play the game. That’s what I love. And it’s an emotional game. so, I’ll take it,” the HC added.
On the other hand, Kelce ended the game on a positive note (well, relatively). 4 receptions for 26 yards is a far cry from the standard he’s set for himself over the years, sure. And as far as that exchange with Andy Reid goes, no need to make a big deal out of it, per the head coach. However, sometimes the heated passion might result in a difficult situation. Remember the September 14 game?
Travis Kelce fined for obscene gesture against Philly?
Travis Kelce reportedly got hit with a $14,491 fine after the league flagged him for unsportsmanlike conduct. It happened on Sept. 14 at Arrowhead, when the Chiefs were taking on the Eagles. After snagging a 23-yard catch, Kelce ran along Philly’s sideline and made a gesture toward his groin, something the cameras caught instantly, and social media wasted no time spreading.
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The NFL later announced the fine, though Kelce does have the option to appeal. For now, neither Kelce nor the Chiefs has commented, but the clip has already gone viral and stirred plenty of buzz. After this, the Week 3 incident occurred, fueling the fire. Nevertheless, for now, Reid has clarified that it was just a friendly gesture, calling the TE a passionate player who loves playing football.