Chiefs Star Travis Kelce Penalized $15K for Controversial Gesture
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“I’m sick of this” Kelce shouted as emotions boiled over during the game.
Travis Kelce is back in the spotlight, and this time for something off the playbook. The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end has been fined nearly $15,000 after making a gesture that went viral during Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The moment happened after Kelce pulled off a 23-yard reception. Fired up, he celebrated with a move toward his crotch that cameras quickly picked up. It didn’t take long for the clip to spread online. Reporter Tom Pelissero shared it on X, and fans sent it flying across social media with millions of views.
But fun for the internet wasn’t fun for Kelce’s wallet. The NFL later hit him with a $14,491 fine, calling it “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
The NFL fined #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce $14,491 for unsportsmanlike conduct/obscene gestures last week.
The gesture was … well, you can figure it out. pic.twitter.com/l7ZcuQ6RYJ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 20, 2025
It was already a heated night. It was the first time the Chiefs and Eagles faced each other since the 2025 Super Bowl, and emotions were running extremely high. At one point, Kelce was so frustrated that he even threw his helmet down and yelled, “I’m sick of this.”
Travis Kelce SLAMMED his helmet on that last drive.
"I'M SICK OF THIS SHIT." pic.twitter.com/W3vTj9hrox
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 14, 2025
Fans had almost mixed reactions. Some said that the league is being too strict. On the other hand, some felt Kelce actually went too far. One fan joked, “They should only be allowed to fine players if they explain the gesture in hilarious detail.”
Kelce wasn’t the only one writing a check. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley also got slapped with a $46,371 fine for lowering his helmet on a hit against Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner.
@jessicagolich @Rachael 💚 Posting after the game & it is so sad that it has come to this 🥹🥹🥹 #taylorswiftchiefseagles #swifties #taylorswiftchiefs #taylorswiftboxchiefs
To top it off, Taylor Swift showed up at Arrowhead Stadium to cheer for Kelce. She kept her entrance low-key, but still fans spotted her.
In the end, the Chiefs couldn’t pull through, losing 20-17.
