On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
On the latest episode of The New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce recalled the time that he talked trash to former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker on the field, which turned out to be a massive mistake.
“I’ll tell you what, I talked smack to the wrong guy. James Harrison, man. I ended up getting his wrath,” Kelce told his brother Jason and guest Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. “He played the outside backer position where he’d be sometimes be over number two in the slot. We’re playing in Pittsburgh. I’m talking a little bit of s*** to him. He’s staring at me with the black visor. Can’t really see if he’s looking at me but I know he’s looking at me. Because he’s not saying anything.
“Couple quarters go by. I’m looking in at the ball because it’s a silent cadence. Just absolutely smoked me off the line of scrimmage. F***** up the whole play. I’m going to (quarterback Alex Smith) like, ‘I don’t what you want me to do there.’ I’m looking at the ball. He’s looking at my blindside. Obviously never talked s*** to him again.”
Travis Kelce on regretting talking trash to James Harrison:
"Couple quarters go by. I'm looking in at the ball because it's silent cadence. Just absolutely smoked me off the line of scrimmage. F*cked up the whole play. I'm going to Alex like I don't know what you want me to do… pic.twitter.com/kkDJODmEJ2
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) March 27, 2024
It’s unclear what play or game Kelce is referring to, but it had to happen in 2014 or 2016 when the Steelers hosted the Chiefs. That’s the only time Harrison and Kelce played against each other in Pittsburgh. Both were wins for the Steelers, a 20-12 win in 2014 and a 43-14 win in 2016.
Kelce never talked trash to Harrison again on the field, but he was upset with him in the 2016 Divisional Round game for embellishing a holding call late in the game. At least that’s what Kelce claimed.
A holding penalty on left tackle Eric Fisher, which negated Alex Smith’s successful 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter prevented the Chiefs from tying the Steelers late in the game. The Chiefs never saw the ball again after their failed second attempt from the 12-yard line, and the Steelers ran out the clock to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
After the game — an 18-16 Pittsburgh victory — Kelce called the Fisher holding penalty “horses***.” He said that the “ref felt bad for James Harrison falling on the ground.” He finished by saying the official who threw that flag “shouldn’t even be able to work at f—— Foot Locker.”
More must-reads:
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb sends strong message after tempers flare at training camp
- Commanders' Jayden Daniels discusses Terry McLaurin's holdout amid contract dispute
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
5 Commanders oozing superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp
Football is back, and the Washington Commanders are embarking on their most crucial part of preparations for the 2025 campaign at training camp. Excitement hasn't been higher where the Commanders are concerned, at least for the last two decades if not more. Dan Quinn led his team on a truly remarkable run to the NFC Championship game last time around. But for this incredible early success to be sustained, everyone must turn the page accordingly. Looking at the mentality in the locker room, there's nothing for fans to worry about on that front. There is a strong will to win and go one better. Every player, whether they're an established franchise cornerstone or an undrafted rookie looking to make their way, is on the same page. And they will have no problem calling out their teammates if standards are slipping. Terry McLaurin's absence as he awaits a new contract was the only lingering cloud hanging over the franchise. The wide receiver is taking a stand, and the Commanders haven't budged as yet. But given the player's professionalism and team-first mindset, he'll be ready to hit the ground running upon rejoining his teammates. Until then, others will be tasked with picking up the slack. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on Day 1 of training camp. Commanders players who oozed superstar swagger on strong Day 1 of camp Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB Fans were pleading for general manager Adam Peters to sign another edge rusher before the season. They were starting to panic, but those in power always had one primary option in mind. The Washington Commanders signed future Pro Football Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller on a one-year deal. He's firmly in the tail-end of his career, and the former No. 2 pick out of Texas A M is far from the force of old, but there's a growing sense he can make an impact for Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive front, albeit in the short term. Miller, who is wearing No. 24 in Washington to honor close friend Champ Bailey and the late Kobe Bryant, left a positive impression on Day 1. There is a natural aura about the player that others naturally gravitate towards. And given the accomplishments he's accumulated throughout a glittering career, the respect he commanded was instant. The Commanders won't task Miller with too much. Dan Quinn and his staff know he'll be ready when the time comes, so they can take things slowly and keep complications to a minimum. However, there was enough to suggest he can impact proceedings in some capacity. Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR All eyes were on wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to begin training camp. There is no Terry McLaurin around as yet, so the recent trade acquisition from the San Francisco 49ers moved into the No. 1 spot until further notice. Samuel's heard all the criticism coming his way this offseason. Accusations of being overweight and out of shape were rife from analysts and former pros. The former second-round pick stayed grinding, working hard away from the team in pursuit of hitting the ground running at training camp. The dedication is already reaping rewards. Samuel looked lean and sharp to kick off camp. And it didn't take long for his developing chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels to turn heads. On Daniels' first pass of scrimmages, he made a statement. Tyler Owens, who was getting first-team reps in the nickel, had pretty good coverage on Samuel. The throw was good, the route was good, and the catch was clinical. This represents a small glimpse of what Samuel can bring to the Washington Commanders. The Niners might have given up on the wideout, but general manager Adam Peters was confident that there was still a lot of good football left. And the South Carolina product is doing everything possible to repay this faith. So far, so good. Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB The Commanders' cornerback room is expected to become an area of strength if everyone meets expectations and, more importantly, stays healthy. One player has gotten lost in the shuffle somewhat, but Noah Igbinoghene was quick to remind people why general manager Adam Peters gave him another one-year deal this offseason. Igbinoghene is coming off the best campaign of his professional career in 2024. It wasn't perfect, but there were glimpses of why the Miami Dolphins took him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. And it's also worth remembering that he's still just 25 years old entering his sixth season. Washington drafted Trey Amos in the second round. They signed free-agent Jonathan Jones. Mike Sainristil is a superstar in waiting, and Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore looks explosive after finally getting over his frustrating hamstring issue. That will make it more difficult for Igbinoghene, but his impressive start on Day 1 of training camp indicates he won't be going down without a fight. The former Auburn standout looked assured, forcing an outstanding incompletion with tight coverage on rookie wideout Jaylin Lane. There's no way Igbinoghene isn't going to make the squad, but stronger efforts like this could see him retain his place as a key part of the rotation, too. Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB There is an enormous sense of intrigue around Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The seventh-round running back made an impressive start to the Washington Commanders' offseason program. He wasted no time in making a similar impact when training camp commenced. Croskey-Merritt plays with a chip on his shoulder. The NCAA revoked his eligibility one game into his transfer to Arizona, which saw his draft stock plummet. He had to wait until the No. 245 pick before the Commanders came calling, but the rookie isn't carrying himself like a roster bubble candidate. One cannot help but be impressed by the way Croskey-Merritt goes about his business. There is urgency to everything he does, and this came across once again on Day 1. The backfield threat set the tone early by exploding for a touchdown. Croskey-Merritt also displayed his athletic elusiveness by juking away from safety Ben Nikkel for another big gain later on. This is a positive start from Croskey-Merritt. In all honesty, nobody should have expected anything less. Croskey-Merritt is not coming to settle for a secondary role. He aims to make an immediate impact on the offensive rotation and make a lasting contribution in whatever role is assigned by the coaching staff. Preseason and joint practices will provide more insight, but the trajectory is pointing upward. Ja'Corey Brooks - Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is officially holding out on the reserve/did not report list until his new contract extension gets resolved. The wide receiver is in the area and will be ready to go immediately after some middle ground is reached. Until then, other wide receivers are getting a chance to stake their respective claims. Not many are anticipating a long holdout. McLaurin is too pivotal to the team's plans for that, so those further down the pecking order must take advantage of increased role until the alpha dog gets back into the fold. The significance wasn't lost on Ja'Corey Brooks. He's looking to surge into roster consideration after going undrafted out of Louisville. A poor 40-yard dash time hurt his stock enough for teams to look the other way. However, the Commanders believe he can become a rough diamond with the correct coaching throughout the summer. Brooks was among the standout performers on Day 1 of training camp. He was an extremely difficult cover for opposing defensive backs during scrimmages, displaying his solid blend of athleticism, body control, and ball skills to full effect. The first-year pro was rewarded with two touchdowns — one from Jayden Daniels and another from Marcus Mariota. If Brooks keeps this up, he's got a fighting chance. More Commanders news and analysis
Cowboys' George Pickens takes shot at Steelers at start of training camp
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner/president Art Rooney II previously said they wanted to see mercurial wide receiver George Pickens "grow up." Now with the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens seemed to take a shot at his former team while speaking with reporters at training camp on Tuesday. "Yeah, I'm definitely excited to run better plays, for sure," Pickens said, NFL.com's Kevin Patra shared. A 2022 second-round draft pick, Pickens developed a reputation for looking displeased over a lack of targets and for emotional outbursts during games over his first three seasons in the league. Pittsburgh traded the 24-year-old to Dallas in May after the Steelers reportedly grew "fed up with" the talented target who was allegedly guilty of a "litany of violations." Pickens was known for arriving late to practices while with the Steelers. He was also reportedly late for Pittsburgh's Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dallas' Dak Prescott should be the best quarterback Pickens has had as a pro. Additionally, Pickens has a needed mentor in No. 1 Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. "Oh yeah, for sure," Pickens responded when asked on Tuesday if he believes he and Lamb can be the NFL's top one-two punch at the position. "Just different type of styles of play. A lot of people over the years got different styles of play, but CeeDee's a certain type of guy, then I'm a certain type of guy. So, when you mesh that together, it's like 'Mario Bros.' We definitely can do something special." Pickens is in the final year of his rookie contract, and there's no indication he will receive an extension from the Cowboys before he shows what he'll be as a player and a person this season. Thus, he has millions of reasons to want to be on his best behavior and produce the best campaign of his career while sharing an offense with Prescott and Lamb. It remains to be seen if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer will succeed where Tomlin failed in getting the most out of Pickens, if even for one season.
Jaxson Dart Faces Harsh Comparisons Following Troubling Giants Training Camp Debut
Rival fans began drooling after Jaxson Dart’s horrible start at New York Giants training camp. They quickly compared Dart to Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s previous draft bust. All 32 teams officially kicked off their offseason training camp on Tuesday, July 23, including the Giants. Fans flocked to the East Rutherford facility to catch a glimpse of the rookies, especially Dart. They all wanted to find out the reason why Daboll and Schoen picked the Ole Miss graduate over Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Dart’s very first pass of 11-on-11 drills was an interception by third-year cornerback Nic Jones. Video footage showed Dart making a rookie mistake. Jones caught Dart staring at the receiver, which made it easier for him to figure out the play. The crowd let out a collective sigh as Jones ran to the end zone for a touchdown. Dart’s very first contribution in his first-ever training camp turned out to be a pick-6, which would surely dent his confidence. NFL fans compare Jaxson Dart to a Giants draft bust after his training camp mishap For the longest time, the Giants were the favorites to draft Shedeur. Deion Sanders gave his blessings, and the New York media were eager to cover the young quarterback who had set college football on fire with his passing and flamboyant personality. The status quo changed after the pre-draft visit. All of a sudden, the Giants were no longer interested in Sanders. Their focus had shifted to the dark horse of the draft, Jaxson Dart. This move by the Giants’ top management was a shocker for many as Sanders seemed to be a perfect fit in the Big Apple according to many. Schoen traded up in the first round to select Dart, while Sanders slipped to day three. Initially, it created a lot of ruckus. Anticipation grew after reports from the first and second phases of off-season camp were satisfactory. Unfortunately, that perspective must have taken a massive hit after Dart’s pick-6 on day one of the main training camp. Fans rarely chalk off such incidents as rookie mistakes. A wave of trolls filled X right after the footage went viral. Most compared Dart to the Giants’ previous starting quarterback, Daniel Jones. The former first-rounder agreed to terminate his $40 million per year contract after winning less than 50% of his games for the Giants. Jones threw 47 interceptions during six seasons in New York (averaging 7.2 INTs per year, with 15 during his rookie campaign being the worst of the lot). Brian Daboll passes verdict on Jaxson Dart It was clear from the start that Dart needed to polish his skills further. Fortunately, GM Schoen made the smart move of filling the quarterback room with a veteran presence. GM Schoen signed free agents Jameis Winston to a two-year deal and Russell Wilson for the 2025 season. Both players had significant game time last year. Wilson started for the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Winston deputized for injured Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. According to the Associated Press, Daboll is going to rely on experience over youth. After day one of the practice, he picked Wilson as his starter for the week one fixture of the 2025-26 NFL season. These guys will be out here competing, but Russ is our starter. Brian Daboll said Picking Wilson over the other two appears to be a sound choice. Even though his tenure in Pittsburgh ended with a string of losses, he is their best bet to win games. It’s a great opportunity for Dart to learn from a Super Bowl winner. If everything goes according to plan, then perhaps the Giants can finally turn their fortune around after several seasons of mediocrity.
LA Lakers receive immediate response from Timberwolves after enquiry over Donte DiVincenzo
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t slowing down in their bid to build a contender, making another move to strengthen the squad for a championship run next season. Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, is set to join a roster that now stands at 14 players. Smart links up with DeAndre Ayton, who is expected to take on the main role at centre. Both signings signal a shift towards adding experienced players who can fill key gaps in the lineup. Guard depth was clearly high on the agenda during free agency. Before landing Marcus Smart, the Lakers explored several backcourt options, some of whom ended up signing elsewhere or staying put. The team reportedly showed interest in Bradley Beal before he signed with the Clippers and also considered Malcolm Brogdon as they looked for guards who could impact both ends of the floor. Timberwolves quickly shut down Donte DiVincenzo approach NBA insider Brett Siegel shared that the Lakers reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo, but Minnesota quickly shut down any possibility of a deal. “Los Angeles also reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves about Donte DiVincenzo’s availability, but the Wolves were not interested at all,” Siegel reported, underlining how firmly Minnesota values the guard. DiVincenzo offers what Los Angeles was looking for during their search. The defensive-minded guard provided secondary scoring while shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. His 2024 numbers included 11.7 points, 3.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on 39.7% shooting from deep. Questions remain around Marcus Smart’s shooting but defence remains elite Smart isn’t known for his offensive output, but he did post a 39.2% three-point rate in Washington last season. The Lakers are hoping he can keep that up, especially when Luka Doncic is off the floor. Defence has always been Smart’s strong suit, and that hasn’t changed. His perimeter play is still a real strength, and it’s what the Lakers will lean on most. The Celtics connection gives him a veteran presence this group could use. The Lakers were short on dependable playoff options last year, and Smart should help steady things. Salary cap leaves Lakers short on additional moves The Lakers are just over $1 million from the first-apron tax threshold, limiting their ability to add another high-profile player. Smart’s arrival is likely the last major move unless the team makes additional changes to free up cap space. The 14-man roster, anchored by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, offer plenty of depth and flexibility. Still, whether that translates into a championship run will depend on how well the group stays healthy and builds chemistry. Both Smart and Ayton come with questions attached. The team’s success may ultimately hinge on how those gambles pay off.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
