Travis Kelce’s temper is hotter than the bright Kansas City sun heading into the Chiefs‘ 2023 training camp. A heat advisory has everyone a little on edge, but as Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney pointed out, there is “more extracurricular activity than usual” out there. The sweltering summer sun has Kelce getting his boxing gloves out.
Travis Kelce Feeling Chippy
The veteran tight end has thrown hands at his teammates twice in two days. And he’s been the only Chiefs player to do so.
On Saturday, July 27, Kelce was seen pummeling linebacker Jack Cochrane’s helmet after the LB had a little friendly fire, bumping into Kelce after he had already completed the catch. Onlookers and players alike were surprised, attempting to break up the spat.
Mahomes to Kelce, little chirping after the catch pic.twitter.com/kv56jIyiUH
— Nick Roesch (@Nicolas_Roesch) July 29, 2023
This comes fresh off the heels of Kelce’s Friday tussle with cornerback Dicaprio Bootle at training camp. Bootle also caught those hands when he appeared to give Kelce a little push after the play was over. Teammate Brian Cook had to run over and get in between the two because Kelce was furious.
Dicaprio Bootle giving Travis Kelce a little extra after the play. #Chiefs #ChiefsCamp. *Note – this video is not be used without permission from KSHB 41* pic.twitter.com/f0MJyPhreG
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) July 28, 2023
Someone get this man a Gatorade or a Snickers bar because he is not himself.
What does Andy Reid think about all this? He was quoted by ESPN as saying, “Fighting is a waste of time.” He referenced the heat and the fact that a little back and forth was to be expected, finishing his thought with, “Just as long as there are not punches thrown, we’re all right.”
Has the head coach seen the Friday and Saturday skirmishes? Punches are being repeatedly thrown, sir.
Travis Kelce Apologizes for Training Camp Fights
Gotta be a better teammate gotta be a better leader… plain and simple
— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) July 29, 2023
Even though Travis apologized for his practice faux pas, players beware. As the YouTube channel “how bout those CHIEFS” mentions, these practice squad players need to “know their roles” and mind their business around the greats … even the more hot-headed ones.
Apparently, Dicaprio has been “jawing” with most of the K.C. offense, all in good fun. Most players, Kelce aside, appear to be joining in and not taking the young player’s attempt at humor too seriously. Bootle just picked the wrong one when he got feisty with Kelce.
Everyone can get a little hot under the collar, but even though Kelce is one of the best tight ends to ever do it, there still needs to be a sense of accountability. He is a repeat temper offender, and he needs to reign that in. His apology tweet appears to acknowledge this.
Kelce isn’t exactly new to the idea of playing “physically.” Besides throwing a towel at a referee in 2016, he also launched a football directly into then-New England Patriot linebacker Kyle Van Noy’s family jewels in 2017.
Travis and Jason Kelce Want To Bring Fighting Back to the ‘No Fun League’
The Kelce brothers talked about fighting on the field on their podcast “New Heights” earlier this year.
Jason Kelce voiced displeasure with the “No Fun League” because the rules are: “pushing allowed, punching no.” Jason also feels that flying kicks should be allowed, like Antonio Brown’s. Travis wasn’t so sure about that. The brothers do agree, though, that punching should be a legal move.
Travis, you’re supposed to wait until the rules change before you start swinging fists in training camps.