Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has statistically dominated the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s why it wasn’t particularly shocking to see the All-Pro tight end poke fun at their division rivals during the 2022 American Century Championship. So, what exactly did Kelce say about the Raiders? Here’s the comment, via Carter Eckl of Nevada News Group.
“I tell Raiders fans all the time, I love them.’ I love seeing them because I know I’m getting a dub and 200 yards”.
It was a bit of a hyperbole, but the tight end is right. He has played Las Vegas 16 times and has a 13-3 record against them since 2015. He didn’t face off against the Chiefs’ division foes as a rookie, having spent the year on the Injured Reserve List. However, he hasn’t missed a single game against them since 2014. All in all, he’s hauled in 87 receptions for 1,226 yards and seven touchdowns. That kind of dominance over one team gives him or anyone else the chance to poke fun at them.
There’s only one thing the Raiders can do
Keep in mind that Raiders fans were the ones that initiated the trash-talking in the golf game. Then again, Kelce didn’t say anything outlandish. He has enjoyed success against the Silver and Black throughout his career. He was just having fun, which is the point of watching or playing football, right?
You could make the case that Kelce was disrespectful but that wasn’t the case. He didn’t take shots at any player or fans, so it’s hard to see their comments as anything more than taking a friendly jab at Las Vegas.
If the Raiders aren’t thrilled about Kelce’s comments, there’s only one thing they can and that’s stopping him. This is reminiscent of players or coaches that complain about opposing teams running up the score. You don’t like it? Do something about it then. Fortunately, Las Vegas will have the chance to make the tight end eat his works when they take on the Chiefs in Week 5 of the regular season.
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*Top Photo: Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce/Isaac Brekken/The Associated Press