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Justin Tucker explains pregame incident with Mahomes, Kelce

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens' Justin Tucker explains pregame incident with Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/29/24

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker discussed a pregame incident Monday that occurred between himself, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce ahead of the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Justin Tucker elaborates on pre game incident with @tkelce & @PatrickMahomes #Ravens pic.twitter.com/rrIsjWyvSl
— Jerry Coleman (@sportswcoleman) January 29, 2024

Said Mahomes asked him to move his helmet and he did. But Kelce then decided he was going to move it further. Tucker said he didn’t think the exchange was all that serious. https://t.co/oYiv6EpX27
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 29, 2024

Justin Tucker: "For those that don’t know, the way it works is each team’s kicker goes to the other team’s designated warmup area on the field. For me, it’s usually 90 mins before kickoff. I’ve been doing the exact same thing for 12 yrs, never really had a problem with anybody."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 29, 2024

Tucker: "I just thought it was all some gamesmanship, all in good fun. But it seemed to be taken a little more seriously. 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."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 29, 2024

NFL Network's James Palmer captured videos of the situation on Sunday afternoon. The clips don't make it clear whether there was any true animosity between the Chiefs pair of superstars and the Ravens Pro Bowler.

Patrick Mahomes and Justin Tucker going at it pregame . Mahomes keeps kicking Tuckers holder away. pic.twitter.com/KeqhYyle4t
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024

Travis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet. pic.twitter.com/pFF0DC1yA7
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024

Tucker wasn't as busy as he would've liked to have been during the playoff tilt. The Baltimore offense turned the ball over three times and only scored three points after the first quarter in the 17-10 home defeat.

The five-time First-Team All-Pro made his only extra point attempt in the contest and drilled his only field goal try as well (a 43-yarder in the fourth quarter).

Mahomes and Kelce were their usual dominant selves, propelling Kansas City to its fourth Super Bowl in the last five seasons.

The two-time MVP signal-caller went 30-for-39 for 241 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, adding 15 yards on six rushing attempts. Most importantly, Mahomes committed no turnovers.

The future Hall of Fame pass-catcher finished the contest with game highs in targets (11), receptions (11) and receiving yards (116), while scoring one touchdown and adding a five-yard rushing attempt. Kelce also broke San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice's record for the most postseason receptions when he secured the 152nd catch of his playoff career.

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