Justin Tucker details Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes incident before Chiefs-Ravens game

The kicker was taken aback

Justin Tucker.LAPRESSE

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has admitted he was left stumped by a pregame incident involving himself and Kansas City Chiefs duo Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs narrowly edged out the Ravens in Sunday’s AFC Championship game with a 27-24 scoreline to make their fourth Super Bowl in five years.

But an incident before the game proved to be confusing for Tucker, with the veteran kicker admitting he was forced to alter his prematch tradition due to Kelce and Mahomes‘ behavior.

Tucker, who has spent his entire career with Baltimore, was stretching near the Chiefs quarterback when tight end Kelce threw his helmet and practice balls out of the way.

As the 34-year-old explained, each kicker is allowed to warm up in the opposition’s area on the field to practice.

“The way it works is each team’s kicker goes to the other team’s designated warmup area on the field,” Tucker told reporters.

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“For me, it’s usually 90 mins before kickoff. I’ve been doing the exact same thing for 12 years, never really had a problem with anybody.

“I saw Patrick there trying to warm up and get some drop backs. He asked me while I was on the ground stretching if I could move my helmet. I happily got up and I moved my helmet out of the way – at least I thought it was enough out of the way.

“And then Travis comes over and just kicks my stuff and throws my helmet. I thought it was all just some gamesmanship, all in good fun, but they seemed to be taking it a little bit more seriously.”

Tucker holds no grudge against Kelce

In footage posted on social media, Tucker appeared to be dumbfounded by Kelce‘s mind games.

However, the incident did not carry into the game as the players focused on winning the AFC Championship showdown, and the kicker suggested he was not bothered by what happened.

“I’m totally willing to let it all go. But that’s just what I’ve done for 12 years and it’s not like I’m out there trying to be problematic. I’m just trying to get ready for the football game, just like they are, and that’s all I really gotta say about it, just to be clear,” the All-Pro kicker said.

He later added: “I find it kind of silly that we’re even having to address it or talk about something that happened before the game that I really don’t see as a big deal.”