Buffalo Rumblings
Bills DT Jordan Phillips and LB Matt Milano were both also fined for unnecessary roughness
As shared by Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, the NFL has fined Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce $11,255 for taunting during his team’s win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game last weekend. The fine comes on the heels of Kelce taking exception to Hamlin’s tackle of quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the end zone.
Additionally, Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was fined $6,722 for unnecessary roughness, cited for the NFL’s policy on “use of helmet,” while linebacker Matt Milano was handed an $11,255 fine for unnecessary roughness (facemask) during a separate play, late in action.
Bills Mafia likely well remembers the play from last Sunday evening. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered the end zone with a little extra emphasis, initiating contact with safety Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin played through the whistle, making a sound football tackle on Mahomes — who took exception to the contact, ultimately flipping the ball Hamlin’s way. We don’t know what was said among anyone involved before, during, or in the immediate aftermath of the scoring play — only what appeared to take place in the silent vacuum of mic-free football.
Everyone did, however, witness Kelce taunting Hamlin while several officials watched. It’s pretty evident he wasn’t reciting lyrics to a Taylor Swift song.
Surrounding all of the action were head official Clete Blakeman’s crew, some calling “touchdown” others blowing whistles and coming in to break up the scuffle. The refs’ conference led to a penalty flag for Phillips, who quickly — and wrongly — entered the frame to put Kelce in his place.
It wasn’t a good look for the NFL, most especially its premiere talent out of Missouri. Yet until the game had been decided, no Chiefs players were held responsible for what unfolded.
Perhaps Kelce was frustrated by his lack of production, and it boiled over in that moment. One thing’s for certain: There’s no love lost and no songs to be sung between Kelce and Bills Mafia.
