Ravens kicker Justin Tucker sets record straight on bizarre pregame incident with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce

Justin Tucker made every kick in the AFC Championship game.

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker sets record straight on bizarre pregame incident with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce (L - via Imago) and Justin Tucker (R - via NFL.com)

The AFC Championship game on Sunday between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens was a high-intensity affair. It started way before kickoff when Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce decided to mess with the Ravens’ star kicker, Justin Tucker.

The incident happened during warm-ups before the players returned to their locker rooms to change into their match attire. Tucker was warming up in the video from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore when Mahomes approached and kicked his ball holder out of the way. In order to make room for his quarterback, Kelce then approaches and tosses everything to the side. Tucker stretches, grinning in the background.

YouTube video

The kicker for the Ravens gave reporters his version of events on Monday. As he was tidying up his locker after Kansas City’s 17-10 victory that ended Baltimore’s season, he said this.

FS Video

Tucker said:

I’ve been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never had a problem with anybody. I saw Patrick there trying to warm up and get some dropbacks. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet.
Justin Tucker said

He further continued:

And then Travis comes over and he just kicks my stuff, he throws my helmet. I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun. But they seemed to be taking it a little more seriously.
Justin Tucker added

Neither Mahomes nor Kelce have commented on the incident. They are now getting ready for the Super Bowl matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Justin Tucker, on the other hand, has said enough and is prepared to move on.

Travis Kelce broke Jerry Rice’s record for most receptions in the playoffs during the AFC Championship game

Travis Kelce’s big game on Sunday was a major reason why the Kansas City Chiefs will play in Super Bowl LVIII on February 11. The All-Pro tight had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in their 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens away from home. During the process, the superstar tight end went past the San Francisco 49ers’ legend Jerry Rice‘s record for most receptions in the postseason.

Jerry Rice (L) and Travis Kelce (R)
Jerry Rice (L – via Harvard Business Review) and Travis Kelce (R – via NBC News)

Earlier this week, during an interview with Bay Area sports radio station 95.7 The Game (KGMZ-FM), Rice was questioned regarding Kelce approaching his record.

Rice said on Wednesday:

I go on social media and saw, 'Jerry Rice is going to go complain about 17 football games or whatever and having so many opportunities in the playoffs on just little short routes and all that stuff.' It doesn’t matter to me, baby. It’s OK. I’ve got plenty of records. You can’t break them all. You can’t break them all, baby. I’ll throw you a bone, I’ll throw you one or two. I’ll throw you a couple.
Jerry Rice said

Kelce did not have a great regular season but has been fantastic in the playoffs. He will look to one-up his performance from the championship game and help his team win another Super Bowl.

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