A video circulated prior to kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Raven
In the AFC Championship Game between Justin Tucker, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Ravens kicker was stretching and getting ready for the game when the Chiefs duo wanted to warm up, as well.
Mahomes and Kelce were seen exchanging words with Tucker, though nothing looked too heated, before Kelce took Tucker’s helmet and tossed it aside. On Monday, Tucker explained to reporters that he, as well as other kickers in the NFL, have gone to the “other team’s designated warmup area.”
He said he’s been doing it for 12 years without issue.
“I saw Patrick there, they were trying to warmup and get some dropbacks. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet,” Tucker said, via video from Ravens reporter Carita Parks. “So I happily got up and moved my helmet out of the way. At least I thought it was enough out of the way. And then Travis comes over and he just kicks my stuff and he throws my helmet.
“I just thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun, but they seemed to be taking it a little more seriously,” he continued. “I’m totally willing to let it all go, but I just wanted to explain that’s just what I’ve done for 12 years and it’s not like I’m out there trying to be problematic. I’m just trying to get ready for the football like just like they are.”
Tucker added that the whole thing is “kind of silly” and that he doesn’t have any negative feelings toward Mahomes or Kelce.
No bad karma came the Chiefs’ way for throwing Tucker’s helmet, though. Kansas City is en route to Super Bowl LVIII where it’ll meet the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11.
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