Travis Kelce Fined Nearly $15K For Obscene Gesture After Big NFL Play

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is making headlines again, this time for a costly celebration. As the Chiefs prepare for their primetime showdown against the New York Giants on "Sunday Night Football" at MetLife Stadium, the tight end is facing a fine from the NFL while also sparking speculation about whether Taylor Swift will be in the building.

The league handed Kelce a $14,491 fine for his third-quarter celebration during the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Eagles in Week 2. After catching a 23-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes to move the chains, Kelce broke out a dance first popularized by ex-NBA star Sam Cassell.

Although refs let it slide in the moment, the NFL reviewed the move and didn’t find it so funny. The fine was announced Saturday as part of a round of discipline that has already cost players more than $222,000 in just two weeks. All money collected is donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation and the NFL Foundation.

Kelce’s dance was one of the highlights of a rough outing. Later in the game, he dropped a key Mahomes pass that turned into a costly turnover. Mahomes took responsibility, saying, “I threw it a tad too early. If I could put it on his body, he can catch it, take the hit, and get into the end zone.”

Kelce also took responsibility for the play. "Gotta catch the ball," he said. "Gotta catch the ball, and we give ourselves a chance."

"I just got to get my head around out of the break," Kelce continued. "It's one of those plays where it happens bang, bang, and I know that that's the window that it needs to be in. I know it's coming out of armpits and earholes of the offense and defensive line getting their hands up and I just got to be able to get my head around right now so that I don't put myself in a position to let the ball surprise me like that."

Through two games this season, Kelce has put up six catches for 108 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets.

Kelce wasn’t alone in getting dinged. The NFL also fined Eagles running back Saquon Barkley a hefty $46,371 for lowering his helmet on a run during the same game. Barkley’s helmet-first contact with Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner was deemed unnecessary roughness, though officials didn’t throw a flag at the time.

Because it was his second offense, Barkley’s fine was nearly three times Kelce’s. He was also fined for a similar play last season. So while Kelce’s celebration grabbed headlines, the league’s wallet-hit on Barkley was far more severe.

Kelce and Barkley’s penalties are part of a bigger league-wide crackdown. The NFL has been coming down hard on players for unsportsmanlike conduct this season, with several high-profile fines already making headlines.

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fined $57,222, the equivalent of a full week’s paycheck, after he spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the very first play of the season.

Jets edge rusher Will McDonald was fined $14,491 for a grenade-themed celebration, a move the league deemed excessive.

Fine or no fine, Kelce looked ready for the bright lights as he arrived in Jersey City with his team on Saturday. The 35-year-old rocked a burgundy suit, crisp white shirt, and shades, making a smooth entrance into the team hotel with fellow Chiefs players and staff.

The Chiefs take on the Giants at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, still looking for their first win of the season. The lingering question is whether Taylor Swift will show up at MetLife to cheer on her future husband. The pop superstar has become a fixture at Chiefs games, but her presence for Sunday night hasn’t been confirmed.