Tight end Travis Kelce has been fined over $12,000 for shoving a football in the groin of New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was in rare form in the team’s season-opening win over the New England Patriots. While he was the constant focus of double teams and tight coverage as the Patriots sought to remove him from the offense, he was not only able to make the occasion play but he also brought plenty of swagger as the rest of the Chiefs offense took advantage of the mismatches created.
Unfortunately Kelce’s wallet is a bit lighter at this point with word that the NFL fined Kelce for shoving a football in the groin of Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Some Week 1 fines: Travis Kelce $12,154 for shoving ball in Kyle Van Noy's groin. Kenny Vaccaro $24,309 for helmet hit on Stefon Diggs.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 15, 2017
Kelce was penalized for “taunting” on the play, but you can see the full episode here, where Van Noy actually gets away with pushing and twisting Kelce’s face mask as he gets back up from the tackle.
Closer look at what triggered Travis Kelce's reaction & personal foul. Kyle Van Noy got away with a little extracurricular. pic.twitter.com/zJrK6iKPWH
— Rob Rang (@RobRang) September 8, 2017
It’s no surprise that Kelce was frustrated after the play given Van Noy’s behavior beforehand. Unfortunately Kelce’s reputation likely doesn’t help him since he’s known for being a bit boisterous from time to time.
This is also hardly the first time Kelce has been fined for something he’s done or said. Just last winter, Kelce was fined nearly the same amount for his criticism of the refs in the Chiefs playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was also fined for a late hit against Ross Cockrell in the same game. Two months before that, he threw a towel at an official and garnered a nearly $25K fine.