The NFL has imposed a $14,069 fine on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for unsportsmanlike conduct during his Christmas Day touchdown celebration. In the fourth quarter, Kelce dribbled the ball on the crossbar of the goalpost after receiving a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, paying tribute to Hall of Fame and former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.
NFL fined Travis Kelce $14K for paying tribute to Tony Gonzalez with a TD celebration dunk
The Kansas City Chiefs end their regular season on Sunday but have playoff hopes that do not matter in significance. The No. 1 seed for the AFC has been guaranteed; their game with the Denver Broncos would actually secure the position in the final playoffs for the Chiefs, a win may still allow a pathway for either Miami Dolphins or Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs will be resting top starters, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, for two weeks to prepare for the postseason. The NFL has fined Kelce for a mistake in Week 17, causing a slight upset during Kelce’s holidays and time off.
On Christmas Day, Kelce caught a touchdown pass from Mahomes against the Pittsburgh Steelers, dunking the ball through the goal posts in celebration. The celebration was intended to pay homage to Tony Gonzalez, a legendary tight end and former Chief, but Kelce’s attempt was deemed inappropriate and ultimately failed.
However, the NFL banned a controversial celebration that led to a penalty flag and a $14,069 fine for Kelcel. Fans were shocked by this decision, but the NFL is known for its strict stance on bizarre events. Kelce acknowledged the Steelers’ win as a commendable offense, despite its perceived snobbery to casual No Fun League viewers.
“You know I had to show love to the greatest of all time!! you did mention you’d help me with the fine tho,” Kelce stated, meaning that Gonzalez will be pitching in some dough.
Kelce has been penalized before for a questionable action in a 2020 game against the New York Jets. With the record, he probably won’t do it again. But Kelce’s exuberant personality might make for some thrilling celebrations in the postseason as the Chiefs pursue the first Super Bowl three-peat in NFL history.
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The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement mandates that 50% of fine money collected from players should go to the Players Assistance Trust, run by the NFLPA, for the care of retired players, and the remaining half goes to charitable organizations jointly determined by the NFL and the NFLPA.
