Travis Kelce breaks silence after controversial Chiefs holding call sparks fresh NFL cheating claims involving Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes found a lane and ran 15 yards for a touchdown, but Kelce appeared to grab Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga during the play. The Chiefs finished with 392 total yards and held Denver to 176 as they began the 2026 season with a 31-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium, according to ESPN.
“It was definitely a questionable play,” he said. Kelce also said the Chiefs had run a similar play earlier, which could have caused Mahomes’ touchdown to be taken away again. “That would have taken us out of the red zone,” he said.
The play happened in the game after the Chiefs had taken control near the Denver goal line. No holding penalty was called, so Mahomes’ score stayed on the board. The decision drew criticism from fans and former NFL players, with some arguing Kansas City had received another favorable call. Social media posts also brought back claims that officials give the Chiefs special treatment. Those claims are opinions from fans, not evidence that the NFL fixes games. Kelce himself gave the moment more attention when he spoke about it on New Heights. “That was risky business, right there. Technically I didn’t grab anything, I just kind of hugged him. The controversy came during a strong opening night for Kansas City.
Kelce Acknowledges Missed Penalty in Chiefs’ Victory
Travis Kelce expressed relief that he avoided a holding penalty during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. The incident occurred during Patrick Mahomes’ rushing touchdown in the first quarter and has sparked considerable discussion among NFL fans. In a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce, alongside his brother Jason Kelce, noted that officials could have potentially called a penalty on the play.
Kelce Surpasses Witten in All-Time Receiving Yards
Travis Kelce recorded three receptions for 71 yards in the latest game, highlighted by a 59-yard catch. This performance has propelled him past Jason Witten, securing second place on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list for tight ends, as reported by the Kansas City Chiefs.