Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates a touchdown in front of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Imagn Images
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce couldn’t have been surprised to hear from the NFL in recent days.
The Chiefs tight end knew he’d get fined if he ever dunked the ball over the goalpost following a touchdown, and he did just that in Kansas City’s 29-10 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.
That was a nod to former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, whose signature move was dunking the ball. Kelce did it after breaking a tie with Gonzalez for most receiving touchdowns in Chiefs history.
The NFL, however, wasn’t happy with Kelce’s homage to Gonzalez. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported the league fined Kelce $14,069 “for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of prop).”
Yep, the ol’ use of prop fine.
The NFL fined #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of prop) — dunking over the crossbar on Christmas in tribute to Tony Gonzalez after breaking his franchise TD record.
Gonzalez posted he’ll help with the fine.
pic.twitter.com/c6QZVYYhSa
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 4, 2025
The good news for Kelce is Gonzalez said he’ll pay the penalty.
Kelce wasn’t the only Chiefs player to receive a fine from the league. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was docked the same $14,069, Pelissero reported, for his touchdown celebration against the Steelers.
Worthy’s transgression was “unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) — pretending to show a gun in his waistband during a TD celebration on Christmas,” per Pelissero.
The NFL fined #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct (violent gesture) — pretending to show a gun in his waistband during a TD celebration on Christmas. pic.twitter.com/3SRctLvXK1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 4, 2025
