Reed Questions Decision on Tart’s Hit in Season Opener

Andy Reid is trying to wrap his head around why Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart was allowed to stay in the game after hitting Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the head during Friday’s season opener.

Reflecting on the heated moment from the Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers, Reid expressed his confusion to reporters. He couldn’t grasp the reasoning behind Tart’s continued presence on the field after the incident in the second half of the game, where the Chiefs ultimately lost 27-21.

“I don’t really know the rules,” Reid stated, as reported. “Was it an open hand or a fist? It’s all unclear to me. But he certainly made a significant hit, whether it was a palm or a fist.”

The incident unfolded in the third quarter when Kelce collided with Tart. Afterward, Kelce pushed Tart’s arm away, leading to Tart striking Kelce’s helmet with an open hand. Though Tart was penalized for unnecessary roughness, he kept playing. Rules analyst Terry McAuley elaborated during the airing, highlighting that the hit was deemed not severe enough for ejection.

“According to Walt Anderson, it was classified as open-hand contact to the head, and that didn’t warrant disqualification,” McAuley mentioned.

Reid was asked on Monday if he expected a further explanation from the league. He replied, “That’s something we’ll need to discuss with the league. I can’t get too caught up in it all.”

This Sunday, the Chiefs will host the Eagles for their home opener, a rematch of the Super Bowl 2025.

Kansas City missed the chance for a three-peat during the Championship contest, as the Eagles decisively defeated them 40-22.

Kelce, now entering his 13th season, had previously described the game as “trash.”

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether his fiancée, pop star Taylor Swift, will be present for the game after missing last week’s match in Brazil. The couple got engaged last month after two years of dating.