Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Travis Kelce’s Gesture After Ejection in Chiefs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 4:42 PM ET

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) hosted the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in a game with huge NFL playoff implications.

The Chiefs’ unlikely playoff hopes were reliant on beating Justin Herbert and the Chargers. For Los Angeles, a win was important to maintain AFC wild card positioning and keep the pressure on the Denver Broncos in the AFC West standings. In the end, the Chiefs lost, 16-13.

It was a chippy game throughout, starting on the second play from scrimmage when Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. made an illegal block that hurt Chiefs offensive lineman Jaylon Moore.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts after catching a pass.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Another Los Angeles safety, Tony Jefferson, wound up getting ejected in the second half after he was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.

Kelce and his Chiefs teammates crowded around Jefferson immediately after the hit, creating a scuffle between the two AFC West rivals. After Jefferson left the field via ejection, Kelce's reaction was caught by fans in the stadium and shared on social media.

Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy waving off Tony Jefferson after he was ejected for his hit on Tyquan Thornton #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/cnRXwlIzFr
— Taylor Burr (@TaylorBurr10) December 14, 2025

Kelce, 36, waved goodbye to Jefferson. The three-time Super Bowl champion has been known to make gestures toward opposing crowds, most notably the last two times they lost to the Buffalo Bills.

Coming into the game against the Chargers, Kelce had been Patrick Mahomes' best pass-catcher in his 13th NFL season. He led the team in catches (60), receiving yards (727) and touchdowns (five, tied) through their first 13 games.

Kelce finished Sunday's game with seven receptions for 70 yards. Kansas City's next game is on the road against the Tennessee Titans.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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