In case you missed the drama leading up to the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, there was an incident involving Ravens kicker Justin Tucker and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce, resulting in Kelce throwing Tucker's helmet.
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Patrick Mahomes and Justin Tucker going at it pregame š. Mahomes keeps kicking Tuckers holder away. pic.twitter.com/KeqhYyle4t
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024
Needless to say, it drew numerous headlines, prompting each player to address the situation.
First, Tucker was asked about it.
"I've been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never had a problem with anybody," Tucker told reporters. "I saw Patrick there trying to warm up and get some drop-backs. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet.
"I happily got up and moved my helmet out of the way, at least I thought it was enough out of the way," he added. "And then Travis comes over and he just kicks my stuff, he throws my helmet. I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun. But they seemed to be taking it a little more seriously."
Mahomes then spoke from his perspective.
Patrick Mahomes on Justin Tucker
āThereās been 3 occasions where thereās been a kicker that wasnāt moving out of the way or sharing the field in the right way, and it was in Baltimore all 3 times. He does that stuff I think to try to get under our skinā pic.twitter.com/CDKGba1Wgg
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 30, 2024
"There's been 3 occasions where there's been a kicker that wasn't moving out of the way or sharing the field in the right way, and it was in Baltimore all 3 times," Mahomes said. "He does that stuff I think to try to get under our skin."
Finally, appearing on his "New Heights" podcast, Kelce gave his take on it in a much-lengthier explanation.
Travis Kelce on his pregame exchange with Justin Tucker:
āIf you wanna be a f***ing dick about it, you keep your helmet, and your football and your f***ing kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up. ā¦ Donāt paint me as the bad guy. He was poking the bear.ā
viaā¦ pic.twitter.com/dQ50yQNZGe
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 31, 2024
"If you wanna be a f***ing dick about it, you keep your helmet, and your football and your f***ing kicking tee right where the quarterbacks are warming up. ... Don't paint me as the bad guy. He was poking the bear," Kelce said, among other things.
In the game, Mahomes completed 30 of 39 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. Kelce caught 11 balls for 116 yards and a score. As for Tucker, he made a 43-yard field goal and an extra point.
The Chiefs won the game 17-10 and advanced to Super Bowl LVIII, where they'll take on the San Francisco 49ers.
