Earlier than Sunday’s AFC Championship Sport between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, three of the most important stars on the sector bought into a short battle.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker moved his follow tee, soccer and helmet to heat up on the Chiefs’ facet of the sector — proper the place Kansas Metropolis quarterback Patrick Mahomes was doing his personal warmup routine. Mahomes repeatedly moved Tucker’s tee and holder after the longtime Ravens kicker would set it as much as follow kicks.Â
Star Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce finally walked over and tossed Tucker’s helmet and follow soccer off to the facet.
No matter thoughts video games might have been afoot appeared to work out within the Chiefs’ favor, as Mahomes and Kelce supplied simply sufficient offense to again up a stellar efficiency from Kansas Metropolis’s protection in a 17-10 Chiefs win.Â
After the Ravens’ season-ending loss Tucker mentioned he thought the pregame interplay was not an enormous deal. In response to Tucker, it is commonplace for kickers throughout the NFL to follow on the alternative facet of the sector from their group’s designated warmup space.
“I noticed Patrick there making an attempt to heat up and get some dropbacks and he requested me, whereas I used to be on the bottom stretching, if I may transfer my helmet. I fortunately bought up and I moved my helmet out of the best way — no less than I assumed it was sufficient out of the best way,” Tucker mentioned. “After which Travis comes over and he simply kicks my stuff and he throws my helmet.
“I assumed it was all just a few gamesmanship, you realize, all in good enjoyable, however they appeared to be taking it somewhat bit extra critically. I am completely prepared to let all of it go, however I simply needed to clarify that that is simply what I’ve performed for 12 years and it is not like I am on the market making an attempt to be problematic.”
Former NFL offensive lineman and present FOX Sports activities Radio host Wealthy Ohrnberger mentioned that whereas Tucker was right in saying kickers doing so is commonplace, it serves no objective except for gamesmanship and Mahomes and Kelce had been justified of their actions.
Tucker is a extremely revered veteran and regarded one of many best kickers in NFL historical past. In fact, Mahomes and Kelce could also be two of probably the most well-known figures in your entire league each on and off the sector, particularly because the duo has helped the Chiefs to 4 Tremendous Bowl appearances (and, to this point, two wins) over the previous 5 seasons.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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