Teair Tart, defensive lineman for the Chargers, landed a huge hit on Travis Kelce, shocking NFL fans. The game took place in Brazil, during the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chargers, with the Chargers winning 27-21.
After the hit, Tart mocked Kelce on social media. He was not ejected from the game, despite the powerful hit, which angered some fans of Taylor Swift’s fiancé.
A shocking block
According to the New York Post, the incident happened in the third quarter, with the Chargers leading 13-12. Travis Kelce pushed Tart at the end of a blocking play. Tart, apparently upset by the late contact, slapped the tight end in the face. Kelce staggered and visibly reached out for a penalty. The referee threw the flag.
With that penalty, the Chiefs moved to the 11-yard line, and Patrick Mahomes ran for a touchdown, aiming to improve the score.
This punch on Travis Kelce was ridiculous — Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers pic.twitter.com/pDi6cQdCeK
— Gatsby (@itsme_Gatsby) September 6, 2025
Analyst Terry McAulay said during the broadcast: “According to NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson, because it was an open-hand hit to the head, it was not a disqualifying action.” However, Kelce’s fans expected an ejection.
“In this case, they felt it was just an open-hand slap to the head, not a closed fist, not a punch, and they did not eject him,” the commentator added.
Later, Tart posted on his Instagram story to mock the incident, sharing the famous Chappelle’s Show sketch where Rick James hits Charlie Murphy, accompanied by two crying-laughing emojis.
It is clear that in a contact sport like football, these incidents are common. Neither Travis Kelce nor Teair Tart took it personally, as these things are part of the game.
