Travis Kelce handed final punishment decision by NFL after breaking strict rule despite Tony Gonzalez paying his fine

Kelce will be preparing for an important game this weekend

 

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts on the field.
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Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce spotted before an NFL game on November 4, 2024Credit: Getty

Travis Kelce (87) of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown.
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Kelce received a fine after celebrating a touchdown with a slam dunk over the crossbar during the Chiefs’ Christmas Day road win over the Pittsburgh SteelersCredit: Rex

Tony Gonzalez holding an Amazon Prime microphone during an NFL game.
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Chiefs Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez paid the fineCredit: Getty
During the Chiefs’ Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kelce paid homage to Gonzalez, who he passed on the touchdown receptions list with his 77th scoring reception with the franchise.

It was the most touchdowns in Chiefs history as Kelce dunked the football over the crossbar after scoring a touchdown – a nod to Gonzalez’s signature celebration.

The action prompted a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct flag from the refs, and the NFL proceeded to fine Kelce $14,000 for the celebration.

Gonzalez said before the contest that he would pay for any fine that Kelce was handed for the gesture, which the 10-time Pro Bowler said he had planned in advance.

The 48-year-old sent a congratulatory message after his touchdown, and Kelce responded with a thank you but also reminded him to take care of the upcoming fine.

“You know I had to show love to the greatest of all time!!” Kelce wrote on X. You did mention you’d help me with the fine tho.”

Gonzalez did pay up, but Kelce revealed what he did with the fine money.

During Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, Kelce told his co-host, brother Jason Kelce, and special guest LeBron James, that the money was used to support his 87 and Running foundation.

“Oh my god… the NFL had the nerve to fine you for that sh**, like come on man. Relax, relax,” the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron said.

“It was a fine well worth it,” Travis said.

Travis Kelce sends clear message over claims Kansas City Chiefs purposely lost Broncos game to avoid NFL rivals
“In fact, Tony [Gonzalez] helped me out with that one but instead of throwing any money at me I just told him to send it to the foundation, so shoutout to Tony G, you’re a real one,” he added while clapping.

Kelce began his foundation in 2015 as the charity looks to help disadvantaged kids with education and community resources.

 

The 87 and Running website said it aims to “change the outcomes of underserved youth in communities across the U.S. by creating access to opportunities, enrichment, and advancement.”

Kelce and the Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.

NFL division round schedule

Sat 18 Jan, 4.30 pm ET (ESPN/ABC) – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

Sat 18 Jan, 8 pm ET (Fox) – Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions

Sun 19 Jan, 3 pm ET (NBC) – Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles

Sun 19 Jan, 6.30 pm ET (CBS) – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

Kansas City hasn’t played a meaningful down of football since the Christmas Day game and secured a first-round bye in the playoffs thanks to a 15-2 record in the regular season.

The Chiefs will eye to achieve the league’s first-ever three-peat.

Kelce will hope to rebound after an inconsistent season by his usual standards.

He recorded 823 receiving yards and posted just three total touchdowns – both career-lows.