After a rocky start to the football season, Travis Kelce faced more bad news when the NFL hit him with a hefty fine. During the Kansas City Chiefs’ Sept. 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce celebrated making a reception. The NFL flagged his celebration as “obscene” and fined him over $14,000.
In the Chiefs’ game against the Eagles, Kelce made a 23-yard reception. He celebrated the play by running down the Eagles’ sideline and making a juggling motion with his hands near his crotch. The league later fined him $14,491 for an “obscene gesture,” via NBC Sports.
At the time, officials did not call a penalty, but they later fined him for unsportsmanlike behavior. Kelce has the ability to appeal the decision if he chooses to do so. During the same game, Eagles player Saquon Barkley received a $46,371 fine after he appeared to intentionally lower his helmet before hitting Chamarri Conner.
Travis Kelce has had to pay fines in past games
Kelce has faced other big fines in recent years. During the 2024 AFC Championship game, he had a heated exchange with the Buffalo Bills’ Jordan Phillips. Phillips received a $6,722 fine for unnecessary roughness with his helmet, and Kelce received an $11,255 fine for taunting.
One year before this, Kelce broke tight end Tony Gonzalez’s franchise touchdown record. In honor of Gonzalez, Kelce dunked on the crossbar and received a $14,069 fine for unsportsmanlike behavior. Per Sporting News, Gonzalez offered to pay the fine. Instead, Kelce told Gonzalez to donate the money to his Eighty-Seven and Running Foundation, an organization that seeks to empower disadvantaged youth.
He has had a rough start to this season
The Chiefs went on to lose the game against the Eagles, their second loss of the season. Kelce admitted he has made some mistakes this season.
“I know it’s kinda sounding like a broken record from last year’s Super Bowl, but that’s on us as leaders,” Kelce said on an episode of his podcast, New Heights, adding, “I’ll take the most accountability myself. I wasn’t ready for that first drive.”
Football fans have taken note of Kelce’s clear frustration during games this season. He had a heated interaction with Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid during the team’s Sept. 21 game against the New York Giants. After the game, Reid said he didn’t hold Kelce’s anger against him.
“He’s a passionate guy, and I love that part. I’ve been through a lot of things with him, so that’s all part of it,” he said, per USA Today. “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 Chiefs went on to win the game against the Giants. This was their first win of this season.