Travis Kelce's $11,000 Fine: The Shocking Reason Behind His AFC Championship Penalty!

Travis Kelce’s new trophy came at a hefty cost.

11 days after the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the Buffalo Bills in their AFC Championship matchup on January 26th, their tight end was penalized $11,255 by the NFL for goading an opposing player on the field, as reported by NBC Sports.

The incident of heckling unfolded during the second quarter of the game, following Patrick Mahomes‘s one-yard touchdown run, which was halted by Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Triggered by Kelce’s confrontation with Hamlin, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, a teammate of Hamlin, reacted strongly to the teasing. He retaliated by head-butting Kelce, resulting in a fine of $6,722 for unnecessary roughness. The Bills were also penalized 15 yards as a consequence.

If Kelce, aged 35, didn’t face a fine initially for his past actions, but the NFL imposed a penalty on him on February 1st instead. Should he commit another taunting offense this season, Bleacher Report disclosed that the consequences for him on the Chiefs would be a fine of $16,833.

On multiple occasions, the host of the “New Heights” podcast has faced penalties due to his actions during games. Specifically, during the Chiefs’ triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers in December, Kelce breached league regulations by dunking the ball above the goal post. Subsequently, the NFL imposed a fine of $14,069 on him for violating Unsportsmanlike Conduct rules, as reported by People magazine on January 4th.

Even though Kelce was penalized for a costly infraction, he still enjoyed some free victories during the championship game. Not only did the Chiefs’ win secure them a spot in the Super Bowl to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles again after three years, but he also celebrated by sharing a kiss with Taylor Swift on the field. The couple, who have been together since September 2023, later got close at an after-party.

Kelce recently commended Swift for her unwavering backing during his games. He expressed on the Stephen A. Smith Show on January 15th that having her confidence and comfort off the field, along with the support he could ever need in the stadium, was truly beneficial. He also shared they are content, stating that being in a solid relationship allows for such supportive encouragement to excel at one’s craft and become the best version of oneself.

Keep reading to see more of Kelce’s memorable moments on the field.

Despite the fact that Travis Kelce might always feel connected to Kansas City, Missouri, he was actually raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Instead of mentioning his alma mater, University of Cincinnati, the man expresses his pride by shouting out his hometown during live sports broadcasts featuring player introductions.

Which, as you might guess, has irked some fellow alums.

In 2019, Travis expressed his feelings when he and his brother Jason Kelce were inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame. He didn’t want anyone to misunderstand; he valued his time at the University of Cincinnati greatly. However, there was a period in Cincinnati that wasn’t simple for him – it was challenging. He lost his scholarship and made some poor decisions. It’s likely that many people in the room knew someone from Heights who had also made questionable choices. To his friends, he admitted, he was that person.

Beyond just holding a special place for him, he went on to say, but “this spot means something to each and every person here. The vibrancy of this area leaves an impact. Everything I accomplish is for this city. It might sound trite, yet I assure you, everything I achieve beyond this point – whether it’s a dance in the end zone or anywhere else – that’s my love for Cleveland Heights shining through.

2. About that revoked scholarship…

Following their unbeaten 2009 season, which culminated in a Big East championship, Travis was found to have failed a drug test for marijuana prior to the 2010 Sugar Bowl. This was due to his excessive partying on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.

Apart from forfeiting the bowl game, he faced severe consequences: The NCAA suspended him for the entire 2010 season, took away his scholarship, and left him without a place to stay. He ended up moving in with his brother Jason (specifically, into his room in their shared house with teammates), and found employment as a telemarketer, where he made calls asking people about their opinions on the Affordable Care Act.

They did, and Travis could not wait to get back on the field.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d share it this way: Before my football journey took off, I dabbled in hockey, baseball, and basketball. In high school, I was indeed the quarterback, even earning the recognition of a two-star recruit for Cincinnati. However, following a suspension, I had to make a tough decision and transitioned to tight end as part of my reinstatement to the team.

In his conversation with Arrowhead Pride following his 2013 draft by the Chiefs, Travis mentioned that at the time, we had an excellent quarterback in Zach Collaros. However, our team required assistance both on the ground and through the air. To address this, I approached Coach Butch Jones, who was my coach then. He suggested that we needed a tight end, and since my abilities, athleticism, and direction fitted well with this role, it turned out to be an ideal match for me.

In simpler terms, he told GQ in 2017 that everyone throughout his life had always considered him more suited for the position of a tight end rather than a wide receiver.

4. The house located on 127 W. Nixon St., which was shared by Travis, Jason, and several other Bearcats, was frequently the site of boisterous antics fueled by beer.

Tom DeTemple recalled to the New York Times prior to the 2024 Super Bowl that the brothers he knew from college were passionate about playing Nintendo 64 for extended periods. They’d often combine gaming with beer-drinking sessions and devise impromptu drinking games, showing remarkable skill in these activities.

5. And suffice it to say, Travis is extremely proud of being a Bearcat.

He expressed to the reporters before the 2023 Super Bowl that it’s all about Cincinnati for him. You see, he’s deeply proud of his roots at the University of Cincinnati. After long years, he finally received his degree. Whenever possible, he offers assistance and often returns to the university. He misses being surrounded by his fellow players and the people he encountered during his time there who have always supported him through life’s highs and lows.

When he faced criticism from the NCAA, he responded, “Those who were part of the team and staff at the university during that period – they trusted me to improve the situation and make progress for myself. This support meant a lot to me.

6 years post-graduation, Travis finally graduated with an interdisciplinary studies degree in 2022; however, he didn’t receive his diploma until April 2024, during a surprise graduation ceremony held after recording a live episode of New Heights at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena with Jason.

As the graduate got close enough for a handshake with the dean, he was already clutching a can of beer. Following their handshake, he swiftly finished off the beer.

And Travis was going to graduate in 2022 but he missed his flight.

7. Travis was chosen fifth among tight ends in the 2013 NFL Draft, going in the third round to the Chiefs, primarily because of problems away from the field. Later, coach Andy Reid, who had previously coached Jason in Philadelphia, requested that the older Kelce brother endorse Travis.

Andy and Travis have three Super Bowl rings to show for Jason’s endorsement.

8. For years prior, Travis would play Randy Newman’s “Burn On” as his pre-game tune, though the genre of his preferred music has evolved since then.

In a conversation on the NBC Sports podcast “PFT Live” in 2017, he shared that as a child raised on the east side of Cleveland, this particular song transports him to reminiscing about his family and contemplating his current life, expressing gratitude for it all.

Let us explain: It’s in the opening credits of Major League, the ultimate Cleveland sports movie.

9. Everyone, including Travis, is mispronouncing his last name.

Although they’ve just left with Kelce, who sounds like “Kel-see”, it turns out that it rhymes with “else”.

Travis’ teammate Chris Jones dropped a shocking revelation on Inside the NFL in January with his statement “Freaky, isn’t it?”. This assertion was also confirmed when the brothers questioned their father Ed Kelce about it on their New Heights podcast.

Jason wondered aloud, “What made you decide to change your name suddenly, and now here we are known as Kel-see? I can’t help but wonder why we thought our names were something else for the first 24, then 27 years – those being 25 years of my life and 25 of Trav’s.

Ed admitted he “got tired of correcting people” but urged his son to “do whatever you want.”

10. Travis, wearing jersey No. 87 during his NFL career, pays homage to Jason, born in the same year as him (1987).

In a conversation with NFL Films before the 2023 Super Bowl, where his Chiefs faced off against Jason’s Eagles, Travis shared that if there is a Kelce legacy in the NFL, it stems from the year 1987, as that was when the two brothers who made it to the league were born.

11. For quite some time, Travis’ foundation and Running have been generous donors to Operation Breakthrough, a nonprofit educational facility in Kansas City. This organization is one that Travis has collaborated with since his initial visit in 2015, when he read “The Cat in the Hat” to the children there.

Yes, reader, he wore the hat.

Afterward, Travis made an investment in the Smart Lab of the program and also purchased the previous muffler shop located nearby, allowing them to extend their space and establish the Ignition Lab. In this lab, young scholars transform old cars that might have been sent to the scrapyard into functioning electric vehicles instead.

12. Travis and Jason refer to their listeners as “92% club members,” which is a nod to a time when Jason mentioned that a specific play, the quarterback sneak, was successful approximately 92% of the time if you only needed one yard to score a touchdown.

According to the podcast’s website, fans affectionately dubbed themselves as the “92 percenters,” a term reminiscent of a special club or code, but expressed through speech.

Who were the Kelce brothers to argue with that?

As a dedicated lifestyle expert, I’m fortunate enough to have three exceptional personal trainers – Alex Skacel, Andrew Spruill, and Laurence Justin Ng – who are always by my side. To maintain my peak physical condition for football, one of them is constantly traveling with me, ensuring I stay in top shape, no matter where I am throughout the year.

As a passionate admirer and fellow physical therapist, I found myself reminiscing about the time when Travis expressed his desire for an evening jog, following a marathon of fashion shows during Paris Week. This was particularly intriguing since it seemed he had been yearning for some exercise after missing his workout that day.

As I find myself under the moonlight, leading my enthusiastic group through rapid-paced sprints across the city’s bridges over the flowing river in April, I embody the essence of a lifestyle expert who prioritizes fitness and productivity. Regardless of my location, I always manage to carve out time to complete whatever tasks are necessary for me to achieve my goals.

14. Kumar Ferguson, who’s been a friend of Travis’ since their days in the fourth grade in Cleveland Heights, is his personal chef. (Informal and conversational)

14. Kumar Ferguson, a childhood friend from Cleveland Heights, has been cooking for Travis as his personal chef. (More formal but still easy to read)

In 2016, he was a part-time chef but drove trucks for a living, until Travis contacted him with a job offer.

In 2023, Kumar expressed to Vanity Fair, “He said something like, ‘Hey buddy, I’m committed to improving my diet and pushing it further,'” to which I responded, “Wow, let’s make it happen. A few days after that, I found myself in Kansas City.

He takes care of a wide range of tasks, such as filling up Travis’ refrigerator and providing balanced meals at the Chiefs’ training center.

15. These days, Travis’ facial hair is getting a closer look than ever before. In an interview on New Heights, he shared that he trimmed his off-season beard last year and retained the mustache as a tribute to Andy Reid’s walrus style, which he plans to repeat again in 2024.

16. In April 2024, when Travis agreed to a two-year contract worth $34.25 million, he became the highest-earning tight end in the NFL for the first time throughout his professional career.

Which finally put an end to years of chatter about how much money he wasn’t making.

In a chat with Vanity Fair in 2023, Travis jokingly mentioned that his supervisors and representatives often remind him about being underpaid. Whenever he discusses seeking higher compensation, they respond by suggesting he approach the Chiefs and ask them instead.

However, as other avenues for earning income multiplied for him, he found himself valuing the atmosphere or ambiance over the actual salary.

He clarified, “The idea of a free market seems appealing until you realize you’re not coming out on top. Winning is something I truly enjoy, and I appreciate my current circumstances.

Admitting it’s a bit disheartening, he acknowledged seeing other players receiving large paychecks. It stirs thoughts of being treated unfairly. I wonder if I were to push harder, would I be fairly compensated? However, I relish coming to this workplace each day.

17. Travis developed an interest in fashion during his childhood years in Cleveland Heights, as his high school functioned more like a daily runway show, according to what he shared with Vanity Fair in 2023.

Due to his desire to store his high-end clothing collection and over 300 pairs of sneakers, including a set of Nike Air Mags (size 13), which he bought using a significant chunk of his first-year earnings although they were a bit too small for him, he transformed the room into a closet instead.

Previously, during the early stages of his career, before there were so many sneaker apps available, he stated to the Wall Street Journal that he would simply buy whichever size of the desired shoe was available.

He has a strong affinity for Nike shoes, but that’s not only due to the brand sponsoring him; he also cherishes Chuck Taylors as they evoke memories of fictional baseball star Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from the movie “The Sandlot“.

18. Among his dozens of investments, Travis co-owns Ohio-brewed Garage Beer with Jason.

As a beer enthusiast who can’t hide my passion, I’ve always made it clear that I enjoy a cold one from time to time. So, you can imagine the thrill when I became an owner of Garage Beer and got deeply immersed in crafting top-notch light brews! There’s nothing quite like sharing an icy beer with loved ones to foster camaraderie, and for Jason and me, that’s what brewing is all about – friends, family, and good times.

19. We’re sensing a theme when it comes to Travis’ guilty pleasure TV choices.

In the past, it was known as “Gossip Girl”: He remarked on “New Heights” that it was fantastic. It’s essentially a television series set in New York City high schools, filled with a great deal of drama and people constantly gossiping and talking negatively about each other.

His new favorite show? Peacock’s Emmy-winning backstab-a-ganza The Traitors.

As a seasoned lifestyle advisor, I’ve been reflecting on the experiences of a professional football player named Travis, who’s now in his 12th year in the NFL and 35 years old. Recently, he’s become more candid about the physical strain the game imposes on the body.

However, from the very beginning, he’s endured numerous setbacks, starting with a microfracture in his knee during his rookie season, which led to the first of the ten operations he’s undergone throughout his professional career.

21. Travis openly discussed an unsuccessful effort he made to gift Taylor Swift a friendship bracelet bearing his phone number, during his conversation on “New Heights” podcast, when the Eras Tour arrived in Kansas City.

Having caught wind of the rumors circulating among his inner circle, I managed to secure a connection with her.

In my own words, I shared that she clearly explained the situation to me, and it turned out to be quite fortunate that she chose to connect with me. (Shared with WSJ. Magazine)

22. For as long as he can remember, Travis has had a soft spot for French toast, which he loves to have piled high with whipped cream and drizzled with syrups.

But more recently he’s become a fan of his girlfriend’s homemade Pop-Tarts and cinnamon rolls.

23. One of Travis’ phone ringtones features Chris Farley exclaiming “Good grief!” from the movie ‘Tommy Boy’.

He shared with WSJ. The Magazine that he had introduced his love for the comedy of Farley, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell to his girlfriend, saying, “I made sure she was aware: This is my favorite kind of humor.

24. Following their victory against the Bengals in the AFC Championship of 2019, Travis exhorted “You’ve got to fight for your right to party!” This sparked the Chiefs to play the Beastie Boys song with the same title after every touchdown scored at Arrowhead Stadium following home games.

2020 saw me, as a lifestyle expert, express to ESPN that Travis Kelce is like a multiplier of energy, a quality that’s tough to measure but incredibly significant. You see, he embodies character, charisma, and passion that draws people in. In our team’s environment, everyone considers themselves friends with Travis Kelce. He’s not just an energy provider; he uplifts everyone’s spirits, concentration, and dedication. At the day’s end, he remains fun and engaging.

However, the lively host who introduced it into their lives confessed that he wasn’t familiar with all the lyrics of the 1986 hit until he was asked to perform it alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in February 2023.

25. When asked about his favorite Taylor Swift songs in May 2024, Travis mentioned three: “Blank Space”, “The Alchemy”, and “So High School.” (Informal)

25. In May 2024, Travis shared that he really enjoys three Taylor Swift tunes: “Blank Space”, “The Alchemy”, and “So High School”. (Casual)

Both versions convey the same information but with a more conversational tone to make it easier to read.

Inquired about it back in September, but by then his response shifted to, “I love them all equally – literally each and every one of them.

26. Early comparisons have been drawn between Travis and the esteemed Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, who hung up his cleats in 2013 after a 17-season NFL career.

In 2015, as discussions about whether he could match or even surpass Tony’s accomplishments and the potential disappointment if he fell short were becoming more intense, Travis expressed that he chose to ignore the commotion.

In his conversation with Complex, he expressed that the highest demands are placed upon him by himself. He aspires to achieve the most outstanding statistical season for a tight end in history.

On September 29th, Travis took the lead as the Kansas City Chiefs’ record holder for most receptions, achieving this feat with his 917th catch, surpassing Tony’s previous record.

Travis remarked on New Heights that it’s amazing how things tend to return to where they started. Standing atop the leaderboard with the Kansas City Chiefs, an organization that dates back to the ’60s and is one of the original teams that have persisted until now, reaching their zenith. A significant part of this success can be attributed to their rich history and a man like Tony Gonzalez, who has served as a mentor for me. I really admire him!

27. Of Travis’ many accomplishments, keeping his house in order on his own isn’t one of them.

“He can’t clean,” mom Donna Kelce told Extra in September. “He can’t cook.”

However, having someone special visit might have given an additional push to tidy up and organize everything more efficiently.

“He’s getting a little better,” Donna acknowledged. “I think he’s getting some help.”

2025-02-04 01:23

Travis Kelce’s $11,000 Fine: The Shocking Reason Behind His AFC Championship Penalty!

Read More