September 22, 2025, 04:45 PM (GMT+7)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is facing a double blow from both the NFL and his own team following controversial incidents during and after Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. The star player’s recent behavior has drawn significant scrutiny, resulting in substantial fines that underscore the league’s and Chiefs’ commitment to maintaining professionalism.
The first penalty stems from Kelce’s Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14, 2025. The NFL fined him $14,491 for an obscene gesture made toward the Eagles’ sideline after a stalled drive. The incident, captured on NBC Sports, showed Kelce making a crude motion with his hands, prompting an unsportsmanlike conduct flag. Kelce later defended himself, saying, “They’re suppressing my free speech,” but the league upheld the fine, marking his first offense of the season.
The second penalty, a steeper $20,000 fine, was imposed by the Chiefs organization itself following a heated sideline confrontation with head coach Andy Reid during the Week 3 game against the New York Giants on September 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium. After a lackluster first half where Kelce dropped key passes, Reid’s rare outburst escalated into a public argument. The Chiefs deemed Kelce’s response—perceived as disrespectful—unacceptable, leading to the internal penalty.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach addressed the dual punishments: “We hold our players to the highest standards. Travis’s actions, both on and off the field, fell short. This is about accountability and keeping our focus on the team.” Reid, while accepting Kelce’s subsequent apology, added, “We’ve moved past it, but there are consequences for letting emotions override discipline.”
The fines come as the Chiefs, now 1-2 after a 27-20 win over the Giants, prepare for a critical Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on September 28. Kelce’s performance (4 catches, 61 yards in Week 2; 3 catches, 45 yards in Week 3) has been under scrutiny, and the penalties could impact his morale. Fans on X are divided, with #KelceFine trending—some supporting his passion, others calling for maturity.
The NFL continues to enforce its taunting policy, while the Chiefs’ internal fine reflects a zero-tolerance stance on sideline conduct. Stay tuned to Chiefs.com for further developments!
Based on reports from NFL.com, Chiefs’ media, and team statements.
