NFL Announces Punishment Decision on Travis Kelce Incident

Kelce and wide receiver Rashee Rice certainly took exception to the illegal hit on their teammate. As Thornton was being checked by the Kansas City medical staff, Kelce confronted Jefferson, getting in the safety’s face. Rice and several other teammates, including Xavier Worthy, joined in before officials stepped in to separate them.

But Rice wasn’t done, later seeking out Chargers cornerback Cam Ward and shoving him before an official stepped in again, holding Rice back. Jefferson was eventually ejected for his hit on Thornton, and as he walked off the field, Kelce and Worthy both waved the safety goodbye.

Given the sequence that followed Jefferson’s hit on Thornton, the league likely reviewed the play for potential further discipline, including the actions of Kelce and Rice. Under NFL rules, players can be fined up to $14,491 for a first unsportsmanlike conduct violation, which is described as a "non-football act," with the amount increasing to $20,288 for a second offense.

And on Saturday, the league revealed that Kelce and Rice were not fined for their involvement in the play. However, Jefferson was charged $7,111 for an "obscene gesture," and another $7,111 for his illegal hit. Even JuJu Smith-Schuster was charged $7,903 for a blindside block on the play before.

This would not have been the first time Kelce was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct this season. In Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, the tight end was fined $14,491 for an “obscene gesture,” his first unsportsmanlike offense of 2025. Rice, meanwhile, has previously received two unsportsmanlike conduct fines in his career, both coming during the 2023 season at $6,561 apiece.

Up next for Kelce and the Chiefs, a Week 16 matchup with Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.