Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid tried to defuse the effect of the emotional outburst by tight end Travis Kelce during Monday’s loss against the Las Vegas Raiders, chalking it up to competitive spirit.
‘He went back in and did a nice job,’ Reid said after the game. ‘Things happen, emotional game. Trav’s emotional, and sometimes my red hair gets to me a little bit, but it all works out.’
When Reid was asked during the postgame news conference if he thought frustrations might be boiling over in an unhealthy way, he also said, ‘Nah, I don’t think so.’
CBS cameras caught Kelce spiking his helmet into the ground in the Chiefs sideline area, sending the helmet hurtling over the bench. It did not appear to hit anyone.
It appeared a Chiefs staffer was prepared to return Kelce’s helmet to him, but broadcast cameras caught Reid intervening and waving the staffer off.
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Reid then approached Kelce and had a quick conversation with him that ended with Reid giving Kelce a little shove with his body. Moments later, the CBS broadcast also showed Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes briefly acknowledging Kelce and giving him a small pat on the chest.
Against the Raiders, Kelce recorded five catches on seven targets for 44 yards. Kansas City lost the game, 20-14, even though Las Vegas did not complete a single pass after the first quarter.
The Chiefs dropped to 9-6 on the season, though they remained in position for the AFC’s No. 3 seed. The team, however, has struggled uncharacteristically on offense this season, leading to frustrations boiling over.
The Chiefs finish their regular season with games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers.