Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs came away with a close win in the AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills. They won 32-29 in a game that was full of controversial decisions from the game officials.
Kelce was involved in one of those decisions, as the Bills’ Jordan Phillips was penalized for unnecessary roughness for using his helmet on the Chiefs’ tight end. Kelce was recently fined for taunting during that incident, and the refs faced more backlash on social media.
Fans React to Travis Kelce Getting Fined
Kelce was fined $11,255 for taunting the Bills’ Damar Hamlin, while Phillips was fined $6,722 for unnecessary roughness.
However, since the Chiefs star was not flagged and didn’t receive any penalty for taunting during the game, the fans further doubled down on speculation of Kansas City being favored by the refs.
Here are some of the reactions:
Fined for taunting, but no flag… pic.twitter.com/l9CXyAusC0
— 𝙳𝚒𝚎-𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝙳𝚊𝚗 (@DieHard_Dan) February 1, 2025
“Fined him but no flag?? LMAO, the NFL is a joke,” said a fan.
Another fan added, “Yet only one of them was penalized during the game.”
The important piece which is not being discussed is the ensuing point after would have been pushed back 15 yards which never happen nor did Kelce receive the unsportsmanlike conduct which a second of this variety results in being kicked out of game
Another example of KC bias
— ckap11 (@ckap111) February 1, 2025
One fan questioned, “WHERE was the penalty on Kelce on that play????”
“Should have received a flag on the spot,” wrote another fan.
As per NFL the NFL Rulebook both Kelce and Phillips committed a penalty on the play – both were even fined.
Only one was flagged in-game.
Any guesses who? https://t.co/8EXhZWGqlj
— Michael LaFave (@MichaelLaFave) February 1, 2025
From Xavier Worthy’s catch to Josh Allen being ruled short on fourth-and-1 on a “tush push” attempt, the Bills were on the wrong end of multiple calls in the AFC Championship Game. Fans who already don’t like the Chiefs have been very loud on social media platforms since then, as they think the league is somehow making sure Kelce and co. play in the Super Bowl.
Recent comments from Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott didn’t help the league either. They also stressed how their team lost the game due to the decisions from refs, so the fans will continue to speculate various different things to undermine the Chiefs’ success.
As for Kelce and the Chiefs, they are focused on the Super Bowl. Kansas City could become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, and it will be interesting to see if the Philadelphia Eagles can stop them.
Kelce Could Play the Last Game of His Career in the Super Bowl
Kelce has been linked to retirement since last season. If the Chiefs win against the Eagles on Super Bowl Sunday, the legendary tight end could possibly walk away from the sport.
He is already regarded as arguably the best tight end in league history, and winning three straight Super Bowls, as well as finishing his career with four Lombardi trophies overall, will be huge for his legacy.
Kelce is a tight end who is competing with Jerry Rice with respect to postseason milestones. He could surpass the legendary San Francisco 49ers wide receiver’s numbers in all categories if he plays a few more seasons, but since he is already 35 years old, Kelce is likely to retire soon.
The Chiefs star has always performed in big games and will be ready to put on a show against the Eagles. In four Super Bowl appearances so far in his career, Kelce has 31 catches for 350 yards and two touchdowns on 37 targets, averaging 87.5 receiving yards per game.
Since Kelce was kept quiet by the Bills’ defense in the AFC Championship Game, he’s likely to be even more motivated to show up for his team in the Super Bowl.