Plenty of controversy emerged on Sunday when a pregame interaction ahead of the AFC Championship Game involving Patrick Mahomes, Justin Tucker, and Travis Kelce went viral. It’s since made for plenty of banter between the players, including some from Kelce and Mahomes when they appeared Wednesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
Pat McAfee Teases Patrick Mahomes
Kelce made an appearance on Wednesday’s edition of McAfee’s show, which is televised on ESPN, and the pair — of course — discussed the now widely speculated-upon interaction between Kelce and Tucker.
Tucker was stretching pregame on the Kansas City Chiefs’ side of the field, and he had his helmet, kicking tee, and footballs placed on the goal line near where Mahomes was warming up with some throws. Kelce took issue with this, tossing the helmet, tee, and balls into the end zone and away from Mahomes.
Travis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet. 😂 pic.twitter.com/pFF0DC1yA7
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024
Kelce and McAfee were discussing the issue on Wednesday after Kelce had also discussed the matter on the day’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast. Mahomes then popped into the screen alongside Kelce, leading McAfee to throw a jab Mahomes’ way.
“Justin Tucker was gonna beat your a–, dude,” McAfee said. “He was going to beat your a–, you know that?”
Kelce and Mahomes responded, revealing that the pair were planning to get back at Tucker late in the contest as he set up for a 43-yard field goal try to narrow the deficit to 17-10 with just under three minutes remaining. Tucker ultimately made the kick, however, foiling the pair’s plans.
“Me and Patrick were on the sideline in the fourth quarter when Tucker had that chance to cut the lead to one score,” Kelce said. “If he would’ve missed that field goal, we were 100% getting a 15-yard flag.
“Of course he made it, of course,” Mahomes said. “He can’t let us have any fun.”
Tucker addressed the incident on Monday following the Baltimore Ravens’ season-ending loss to the Chiefs. The longtime NFL kicker said it’s not something he has previously had an issue with and did not seem to harbor any ill will toward Kelce or Mahomes.
“I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun, but they seemed to be taking it a little bit more seriously,” Tucker told reporters. “I’m totally willing to let it all go, but I just wanted to explain that that’s just what I’ve done for 12 years, and it’s not like I’m out there trying to be problematic. I’m just trying to get ready for the football game, just like they are.”
All in all, it seems this has been nothing more than a fun bit of banter between three players who hold no long-term hard feelings toward one another.
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