Travis Kelce is finding himself at the center of a curious conspiracy theory, with many NFL fans and even some players blaming him for Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s struggles this season. The chatter suggests that Kelce may have somehow ‘broken’ Tucker, whose performance has been uncharacteristically inconsistent since a viral moment during the AFC Championship game in January.
During the warmups for the AFC Championship, Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, was caught on camera tossing Justin Tucker’s helmet and kicking tee as part of a light-hearted prank. The Chiefs went on to win that game against the Ravens, 17-10, ultimately advancing to claim their second consecutive Super Bowl title.
Although Tucker completed his lone field goal attempt during that game, some fans have pointed to this moment as a turning point in Tucker’s career.
Since that championship game, Tucker, a 13-year veteran and one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history, has struggled to maintain his usual high standards. This season, Tucker’s field goal percentage has dropped to a career-low 72.7 percent, far below his usual consistency. In a shocking 1-for-3 performance during the Ravens’ recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tucker’s struggles were once again brought to the forefront, prompting fans to revisit the viral incident involving Kelce.
Social media was quickly abuzz with fans and players debating whether Kelce’s actions had somehow disrupted Tucker’s legendary accuracy. “We deada** need a 30 for 30 on Patrick Mahomes and Kelce ruining Justin Tucker,” one fan suggested on X (formerly Twitter). “He’s been a** since pregame of the AFC Championship.” Another fan humorously added, “Taylor Swift voodoo,” a nod to Kelce’s well-publicized relationship with the pop star, implying some mystical connection to Tucker’s decline.
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Former Chiefs wide receiver Gehrig Dieter also joined the discussion, tweeting, “Kelce really broke Justin Tucker!” Dieter’s comment, while clearly in jest, added fuel to the growing speculation that Kelce’s antics might have had more of an impact than initially thought.
Despite the mounting conspiracy theories, not everyone is convinced that Kelce is to blame for Tucker’s decline. Many fans pointed out that Tucker’s struggles began even before the AFC Championship game. “He’s been missing all regular season before this,” one user responded, dismissing the idea that the viral incident was responsible. “Don’t even try to say it was cuz of this.” Another fan added, “His key misses predate this incident,” suggesting that Tucker’s challenges may have deeper roots.
Others have pointed to the broader issues plaguing the Ravens during their loss to the Steelers. The entire team struggled to find their rhythm, and Tucker’s missed kicks were just one part of a larger problem. The Ravens’ offense and defense both had their share of miscues, which ultimately led to their 13-10 defeat in a hard-fought divisional matchup.
Regardless of the theories, Justin Tucker’s current form is far from what fans have come to expect from one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history.
Through 11 games this season, Tucker has converted 16 of his 22 field goal attempts, leaving him with an uncharacteristic 72.7 percent success rate. The Ravens, now 7-4, are still in a strong position in the AFC North, but the struggles of their star kicker have undoubtedly raised concerns as they look ahead to the postseason.
As the Ravens prepare for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 25, Tucker will aim to regain his footing and return to the level of reliability that has made him a fan favorite.
Meanwhile, Travis Kelce seems to be enjoying the attention, as his playful antics continue to be a topic of conversation well into the season.
Whether or not Kelce’s pregame prank truly affected Tucker’s performance, the story has taken on a life of its own, becoming a humorous subplot in an otherwise intense NFL season.
It speaks to the passion of fans and the unpredictable nature of the sport—where even lighthearted moments can take on a life of their own, creating a narrative that adds color to the competition.
For now, Ravens fans are hoping that Tucker can silence the doubters and conspiracy theorists with a strong performance, while Chiefs fans may continue to playfully rib their rivals over Kelce’s supposed ‘impact’ on one of the league’s all-time great kickers.
