Even considering the Baltimore Ravens’ late surge in the AFC championship on Sunday, the most significant drama of the game may have unfolded before kickoff.
Prior to the Ravens’ face-off with the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker was warming up in an area where Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes intended to throw. In response, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce took action by picking up Tucker’s tee and helmet and relocating them to the side.
During an interview on KCSP-AM in Kansas City on Tuesday, Mahomes delved further into the Chiefs’ interaction with Tucker.
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“He does those little things, I think, to try to get under our skin,” Mahomes stated. “I asked him to move his stuff. He did get up and shifted it, I believe, two inches but didn’t clear the space. I was going to let it go, but Travis stepped in and moved it for me.”
Despite the incident, Tucker appeared unfazed and successfully executed both kicks he attempted on Sunday—an extra point and a 43-yard field goal.
“I have a lot of respect for him as a player; he’s one of the best kickers of all time, probably the best kicker of all time,” Mahomes acknowledged. “But at the same time, you have to show respect for each team, and we all share the field. We try to do that in a courteous manner.”
