NFL fans find Travis Kelce’s fine for paying tribute to Tony Gonzalez trivial – “I’m sure Taylor will pay for it”

Travis Kelce has to pay a fine for violating NFL rules of using props other than football as celebratory objects when he dunked the ball after surpassing Tony Gonzalez.

NFL fans find Travis Kelce’s fine for paying tribute to Tony Gonzalez trivial – “I’m sure Taylor will pay for it”

(L) Taylor Swift and (R) Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

Travis Kelce broke Tony Gonzalez’s record for most receptions by a Kansas City Chiefs player in week 17 while facing the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kelce celebrated reaching the milestone by dunking the ball over the goal post after scoring his 77th career touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found Kelce lurking inside the Steelers end zone. Following the 12-yard touchdown, he leaped over and hurled the ball over the post.

YouTube video

It’s common for players, especially tight ends to dunk the ball but not everyone ends up with a fine for such a celebration. The NFL committee, on the other hand, found Kelce’s case slightly different and opted to slap him with a $14,069 fine.

Fans on social media had a hard time believing Travis Kelce was fined for dunking the ball

According to NFL rule 12.3.1.g, the league prohibits using any object other than the football as a prop for a celebration. Players are free to dunk the ball as many times as they want, but they must avoid touching the goalpost, or else they will have to pay a fine.

NFL fans find Travis Kelce's fine for paying tribute to Tony Gonzalez trivial I'm sure Taylor will pay for it
Travis Kelce (Image via IMAGO)

Kelce broke the rule when he accidentally grazed the post during the dunk. So, it was a textbook fine. However, fans viewed the scenario very differently. From their eyes, Kelce only celebrated a historic milestone and to punish him for such a trivial matter made little sense.

Kelce was already prepared for a fine. After he scored the touchdown, Tony Gonzalez congratulated the 10x Pro Bowler on X.

Congrats to my man Travis Kelce on becoming the all-time Chiefs leader in touchdowns! Keep blazing trails my friend! btw nice dunk.

Gonzalez said.

Kelce left a reply in the comment section.

You know I had to show love to the greatest of all time!! You did mention you’d help me with the fine though!

Kelce responded.

lol I got you.

Gonzalez agreed to pay the fine.

Gonzalez spent 17 years in the NFL, 12 of which were in Kansas City, before moving to the Atlanta Falcons. The 48-year-old played in a total of 270 games and caught 1,325 passes for 15,127 yards and 111 touchdowns.

Kelce is in his 12th season with the Chiefs since entering the NFL back in 2013. The 35-year-old played in 175 matches and caught 1004 passes for 12,551 yards and 77 touchdowns. The 2024/25 season may end up as his last if the Chiefs succeed in securing the historic three-peat.