Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce recently criticized the NFL’s handling of what it considers violent gestures during games. Speaking on his “New Heights” podcast, Kelce defended New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard, who received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for making a finger gun gesture during a game against the Denver Broncos.
Kelce expressed his disapproval of such penalties, arguing that minor celebrations like Lazard’s should not be punished, especially when they don’t directly target another player.
Kelce elaborated that while he understands the NFL’s stance on discouraging any association with violence, the finger gun gesture is too harmless to warrant a game-changing penalty. He suggested that the NFL could instead fine players after the game if needed but felt that drawing a flag for something so subtle was an overreach.
He was particularly frustrated that gestures signaling a successful play, such as pointing after a first down, could be treated as unsportsmanlike conduct, impacting the flow and fairness of the game.
Although the NFL’s policy on violent gestures has been around for some time, Kelce humorously pointed out that he didn’t want the league to penalize him for speaking out against it. Jokingly referencing the Second Amendment and his “right to bear arms,” Kelce maintained that the NFL’s enforcement of the rule is misguided. He emphasized that penalizing players for non-threatening celebratory gestures does more harm than good by interfering with the game.
Joining the conversation, Kelce’s brother, Jason, a former Philadelphia Eagles center, agreed with him. Jason suggested that the rule should be applied only when a gesture is specifically directed at another player in a taunting manner. He questioned how gestures like shooting upwards in celebration, without targeting anyone, could be considered offensive or worthy of a penalty.
Allen Lazard, the player who sparked the debate, announced that he plans to challenge any fine the NFL might impose for his celebration. Lazard argued that he had not been warned that his action would be considered unsportsmanlike and drew a comparison to a new traffic law that people are punished for without prior notice. Lazard’s situation highlights an ongoing issue, as multiple NFL players have faced similar fines this season for gestures deemed inappropriate.
