January 12, 2025

Travis Kelce accuses Mack Wilson of headhunting for hit that sidelined Patrick Mahomes

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Cleveland Browns teammates defend LB Mack Wilson on Patrick Mahomes hit

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce accused Browns linebacker Mack Wilson of headhunting after Wilson’s hit on Patrick Mahomes knocked the superstar quarterback out of Sunday’s AFC Divisional playoff game, but teammates Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett came to Wilson’s defense.

With 7:27 remaining in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 22-17 victory at Arrowhead Stadium, Mahomes scrambled on a third-and-1 play and Wilson used a shoulder tackle to stop him for no gain. When he got up, Mahomes was visibly dazed and after being checked in the medical tent, he sprinted to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.

a baseball player holding a bat: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is helped off the field by teammate Mike Remmers, right, after getting injured during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) © Charlie Riedel, AP Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is helped off the field by teammate Mike Remmers, right, after getting injured during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Backup Chad Henne replaced Mahomes the rest of the way. Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed Monday that Mahomes is in the league’s concussion protocol.

“This is a violent game,” Kelce said afterward, according to the Associated Press. “We wear helmets for a reason and that’s because guys are flying around trying to take your head off.

“You never want to say someone purposely tries to take you out of the game, but after the initial hit they were fired up, saying, ‘That’s what we do. That’s what we do.’ I do feel like those guys are good and I respect a lot of them … especially Myles.”

Accusations leveled at Wilson weren’t only coming from the Chiefs. During the game, Mahomes’ mother, Randi, tweeted, “#51 Wilson that’s some trash football leading with the helmet, pulling his head and pushing helmet.. why are you not thrown out?? Come on NFL.”

She added later, “#51 evil NEVER WINS!!! Love my Chiefs.”

Randi Mahomes didn’t take issue with Chiefs free safety Daniel Sorensen’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns receiver Rashard Higgins with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter.

Sorensen dislodged the ball as Higgins was stretching it toward the pylon after a 25-yard catch. Potential targeting was not an allowable part of the replay review, which ruled it was the Chiefs’ ball on a touchback, a huge momentum swing against the Browns.

In a retweet of Mahomes’ fiancee, Brittany Matthews, who said, “What a play” followed by four clapping hands emojis, Randi Mahomes tweeted, “#49 go Sorensen!!!!”

Tom Pelissaro of NFL Network reported Monday that Sorensen won’t be suspended for spearing, but the play will be reviewed for a possible fine. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he didn’t think he would need to seek clarification from the league on Sorensen’s hit.

Wilson, in his second year out of Alabama, responded to criticism on social media, saying on Twitter, “Never been a dirty player in my life. I just try my best to play fast and make plays. Don’t try to insult me & keep the threats to yourself.”

Wilson later tweeted, “Prayers to @PatrickMahomes. I pray you back next week! Go be great like you have been!” and added emojis of praying hands and a red heart. To that Mahomes responded, “All good brother!” with a flexed bicep emoji.

In his postseason press conference, Stefanski said he knew how Wilson’s tackle was perceived.

“Mack’s not a dirty player. We don’t coach our guys to hurt anybody ever,” Stefanski said. “We’re all hoping and praying that Patrick’s feeling OK and we want him to be ready to go this week. I hope there’s no hard feelings. I know Mack’s intent was definitely not to hurt him at all.”

Myles Garrett defends Mack Wilson

Garrett opened his postgame Zoom call with comments on Mahomes’ injury. Both grew up in Texas, with Mahomes playing for Texas Tech and Garrett for Texas A&M.

“I’m definitely praying for Patrick. I’ve known Pat since we were in high school, and he’s always been a great dude,” Garrett said. “Nobody on our team is headhunting or going after a guy, trying to hurt a guy, no matter how good he is.

“So I’m praying for his recovery. I’m praying for his success. Always been a quality guy. He does stuff for the community, and he’s a leader on and off the field. You appreciate seeing that, especially from a guy of that caliber just always trying to be a positive force everywhere he goes.”

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Asked why he felt he needed to defend Wilson, Garrett said, “They were saying it on the field. Some of the guys felt like that. Travis felt like that.

“I’m cool with Travis. He’s a good guy. I’ve hung out with him a couple of times in the offseason. I don’t ever want him to feel like my guys, my team is out here trying to injury somebody or put them out of the game. We’re trying to put some bruises on you, but we’re never trying to injure someone or take them out purposely. We’re trying to play how it’s supposed to be played, with sportsmanship and integrity.”

Garrett said he also understood Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, defending Mahomes.

“He’s passionate. That’s his guy,” Garrett said of Kelce and his relationship with the quarterback.

More: Browns notebook: Jedrick Wills goes down, team forced to go deep into bench at tackle

Mayfield also spoke in defense of Wilson.

“I didn’t specifically see the hit, but Mack is not a dirty player,” Mayfield said. “That’s not the case, so if anybody truly thinks that, that’s their own opinion, they can have it that way. I hope Pat’s OK. Like I said, Mack’s not like that.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/browns. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Travis Kelce accuses Mack Wilson of headhunting for hit that sidelined Patrick Mahomes

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