Travis Kelce Admits to 'Questionable' Call in Chiefs' Season Opener Amid Cheating Allegations
The tight end acknowledged a potentially missed holding penalty on a touchdown drive, fueling social media backlash.
Travis Kelce has addressed a controversial play from the Kansas City Chiefs' 2026 season-opening victory over the Denver Broncos, admitting that a potentially missed holding call against him was "questionable." The incident occurred during a drive that led to the Chiefs' first touchdown and has since ignited online debate, with some fans and analysts accusing the NFL of favoring Kansas City and promoting "cheating" claims.
Kelce, speaking on his podcast "New Heights" with his brother Jason, acknowledged the play was "risky business." He described the moment, where he was accused of holding a Broncos defender as Patrick Mahomes approached the end zone, stating, "I had a man up by his neck. Can't do it. Almost cost us."
Kelce further explained that a penalty on that play would have negated what would have been Mahomes' second rushing touchdown in two plays, pushing the team out of the red zone. He humorously added, "Technically I didn't grab anything, I just kind of hugged him."
The alleged missed call quickly became a focal point on social media, with notable figures like former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe and commentator Skip Bayless weighing in. Online reactions ranged from accusations of referee bias towards the Chiefs to broader claims of the NFL being rigged. Phrases like "Refs not calling holding on Neph [Kelce] is crazy" and "Refs helping Mahomes. We can now officially say that football is back" circulated widely.
The Chiefs secured a decisive 31-10 win against the Broncos, marking a strong start to their season after missing the playoffs in 2025. Kelce expressed pride in his team's performance, highlighting a renewed mentality and strong team chemistry that he believes has been brewing since the offseason. "We feel like we've got a great team and this team loves each other man and that's one of the biggest things," Kelce said about the team's unity and shared goals.
He also emphasized the electrifying atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium during the Monday night game, describing it as a feeling he cherishes and a significant motivator for his continued play in the NFL. "When Arrowhead is rocking like that on a Monday night it's a feeling that I don't ever want to stop feeling and that's what keeps me coming back and playing every single year," Kelce stated.