Chiefs’ Andy Reid Jokes Travis Kelce Took ‘Cheap Shot’ in Viral Super Bowl Bump Video
Andy Reid #AndyReid
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave a lighthearted response when asked about his brief altercation with tight end Travis Kelce during the second quarter of the team’s 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58.
“He caught me off balance, I wasn’t watching,” Reid told reporters after the game. “Cheap shot. But that’s alright, he did good.”
Kelce downplayed the incident as well in an interview with ESPN following the win, explaining that “I was just telling him how much I love him.”
The Chiefs struggled to consistently move the chains throughout the first half, with self-inflicted wounds occurring after seemingly every big play. Once San Francisco took an early 3-0 lead at the start of the second quarter, Kansas City seemed to respond quickly after Patrick Mahomes found Mecole Hardman for a 52-yard gain.
It represented Mahomes’ third-longest pass of his career and traveled approximately 58.2 yards in the air, per NFL Next Gen Stats. However, running back Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play at San Francisco’s nine-yard line. Kelce, who wasn’t in the game during the fumble, was seen shouting in Reid’s face and bumping into him on the sidelines.
“He was really coming over to just go ‘Just put me in, I’ll score I’ll score.’ So that’s really what it was,” Reid explained. “Well, I love that. I mean, it’s not the first time so I appreciate it.”
Kelce finished the contest strong, as his nine receptions and 93 yards led all receivers during the game. He recorded a 22-yard grab that set Kansas City up to attempt the game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter, then picked up seven yards following a short catch in overtime to put the Chiefs at San Francisco’s three-yard line. On the following play, Mahomes found Hardman again for the game-winning touchdown.
With Reid and Kelce earning their third championships together on Sunday, it appears that the brief disagreement is now water under the bridge.