Travis Kelce Avoids Discussing Controversial Penalties Against Texans in Chiefs’ Divisional Round
Amid growing controversy surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs’ divisional round playoff game against the Houston Texans, Travis Kelce is taking a backseat on the debate about questionable penalties called during the match. Specifically, two roughing the passer penalties were called after hits on Patrick Mahomes, drawing ire from fans and Texans’ players alike.
Kelce Stays Silent on the Penalties
The penalties in question became a major talking point as Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and several players voiced concerns that the NFL officials were showing favoritism toward the Chiefs. This sparked an outcry on social media, with many fans expressing frustrations about the questionable calls. Despite the backlash, Travis Kelce remained tight-lipped on his podcast, “New Heights,” when discussing the issue.
When asked about the controversial penalties, Travis Kelce responded with humor, saying, “I’d like to plead the Fifth,” referring to his constitutional right to remain silent on matters that could be incriminating or controversial. This move to avoid engaging with the subject was met with mixed reactions, especially since it was one of the most heated topics following the game.
Jason Kelce Speaks Out on the Penalties
While Travis Kelce opted for silence, his brother, Jason Kelce, was more vocal about the issue. Jason called one of the roughing the passer penalties “completely, absolutely ridiculous,” pointing out that Patrick Mahomes hadn’t even been touched on the play. Although Jason acknowledged the reasoning behind the call, he expressed that the penalty was a poor decision by the officials.
Mahomes Defends Referees Amid Backlash
Despite the controversial penalties, Patrick Mahomes has repeatedly defended the NFL referees and their decision-making. When asked about the penalties, Mahomes denied any feeling of being given preferential treatment by the officials. “I don’t feel that way,” Mahomes stated. “At the end of the day, the referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and as proper as they possibly can.” He added that the team focuses on playing the game to the best of their abilities, regardless of external factors like officiating.
Mahomes emphasized that the NFL is unpredictable, with each play carrying its own set of circumstances. “You get new referees every year… every play’s different,” he said. Despite the controversy, Mahomes remains focused on winning, trusting that the team’s performance will speak for itself.
What’s Next for the Chiefs?
As the Kansas City Chiefs continue to prepare for the next round of the playoffs, the penalty controversy surrounding their game against the Texans is unlikely to fade anytime soon. While Patrick Mahomes remains committed to staying focused on his game, Travis Kelce’s refusal to comment only adds to the mystery surrounding the debate. Fans will have to wait and see how the Chiefs continue to perform, with the penalties still fresh in the minds of many.
