Justin Tucker has seen a lot on the field during his 12-year NFL career, but the pregame incident before Sunday’s AFC Championship game was a first for the veteran kicker.
Tucker, who has spent his entire career in Baltimore, was stretching near Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes when Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce came up and put his helmet and practice ball in his way. He explained what happened on the field when he threw it where it shouldn’t.
“The way it works is that each team’s kicker moves to the opposing team’s designated warm-up area on the field.” Tucker told reporters. Monday, while I was at my locker.
“For me, it’s usually 90 minutes before kick-off. I’ve been doing the exact same thing for 12 years and I’ve never had any particular problems with anyone. So Patrick is about to warm up and drop back. As I was stretching on the ground, he asked if he could move his helmet.
“I happily stood up and moved my helmet out of the way, thinking that at least it would be enough to put it out of the way. Then Travis came over and kicked my stuff and put the helmet out of the way. I thought it was all just gamesmanship and all in fun, but they seemed to take it a little more seriously.”
In pregame video, Tucker could be seen stretching while Mahomes warmed up in one of the end zones at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Kelce then tossed Tucker’s practice ball and helmet to the side while he continued to stretch.
The situation did not escalate further and everyone continued playing the game in a friendly manner during the coin toss, Tucker added.
“I’m willing to let everything go,” the All-Pro kicker said. “But that’s what I’ve been doing for 12 years, and I’m not trying to cause trouble. Just like them, I’m just trying to get ready for a football game. This is what I’ve been doing for 12 years. That’s all I want to say clearly about this.
“I’ve never had a problem with anyone. At the end of the day, we’re all just professionals just trying to prepare for a football game. These two have never had any problems in their respective positions. The best players that were in the game. They were just trying to get ready for a football game. Obviously, it’s an intense environment, so it really doesn’t matter to me. Just a football game. I’m trying to prepare for it.”
Ms Tucker said she thought it was “a little ridiculous” to have to explain the situation.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous that we have to mention and talk about things that happened before the game that actually don’t seem like a big deal,” he added.
Kelce and Mahomes have not yet addressed the incident.
The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 and earned a ticket to the 2024 Super Bowl.
The reigning champion Chiefs will face the San Francisco 49ers in the big game on February 11th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
