For a guy with one of the biggest podcast platforms in the world, tight end Travis Kelce was suspiciously silent following each of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ most recent losses.
Kelce declined multiple requests for locker room interviewers with reporters following the team’s Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans, during which the future Hall of Fame player bobbled what should have been a routine first-down catch late in the fourth quarter that led to a game-sealing interception.
The next week, Kansas City lost to the Los Angeles Chargers following a season-ending injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the Chiefs’ final offensive drive of the game. That loss ended streaks of 10 straight playoff appearances, seven straight AFC title game appearances and three consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
However, Kelce told reporters on Friday, December 19 that it was a conversation he had with Mahomes following his knee injury that kept the tight end out of the postgame spotlight.
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“I mean, that’s my brother. I know everything he’s going through and all that. But yeah, I’ll just keep it personal,” Kelce said. “I talked to him afterwards. I know it was before the MRI and stuff, but that’s why I kinda chose not to speak to the media right after that game.”
Kelce did not specify whether he didn’t want to talk because he didn’t want to be asked about Mahomes’ health status or state of mind, or whether he avoided media members because of his emotional state in the aftermath of such a crushing loss on multiple levels.
That said, his revelation could potentially impact the NFL league office and its decision on whether to levy a punishment against Kelce, likely in the form of a fine, for dodging media availability stipulations outlined in the current collective bargaining agreement.
The Department of Gameday Accountability has the leeway to fine Kelce for his actions if it so chooses, though it does not necessarily have to do so. That entity did not fine Kelce for his decision to decline interview requests following the Chiefs’ Week 14 loss to the Texans.
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