NFL fines Chargers lineman Teair Tart for slap on Travis Kelce
League expected to impose standard first-offense striking fine after Week 1 incident in Brazil during Chargers' 27-21 win over Chiefs
The NFL has fined Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart for slapping Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during the teams' Week 1 game in Brazil, multiple outlets reported. The league had not released the official dollar amount at the time of the report, but NFL policy sets the fine for a first offense of striking at $12,172, making that figure the likely penalty.
The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Chargers' 27-21 victory when Tart struck Kelce's helmet after Kelce shoved him following a play. The slap drew a 15-yard unnecessary-roughness penalty against Los Angeles but did not result in Tart's ejection. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said on the broadcast that officiating analyst Walt Anderson determined the contact was an open-hand blow, which under current NFL rules is not classified as disqualifying action.
Kansas City coach Andy Reid said he was puzzled by the decision not to eject Tart. "I don't understand that rule," Reid told reporters Monday. "I guess it's open-hand, fist, whatever, I don't know. I don't know what their decision was on that. But he definitely got hit in the head pretty hard, whether it was an open fist or a closed fist." Reid's remarks underscored continuing questions among coaches and fans about how the league distinguishes between types of contact to the head.
Tart, 28, signed a one-year contract with the Chargers this offseason worth $1.5 million and received a $2 million signing bonus before offseason activities. Following the game, Tart posted on Instagram a picture that referenced Kelce and Kelce's fiancée, entertainer Taylor Swift, writing, "I'm too swift with it even in Brazil." The post drew widespread criticism from Swift's fan base on social media.
The NFL typically posts disciplinary announcements on Saturday afternoon; officials and club representatives declined immediate comment beyond the league's expected announcement. The Chargers assessed the 15-yard penalty during the game but did not take other in-game disciplinary action against Tart after he remained on the field.
The play and the league's forthcoming fine come amid heightened scrutiny of on-field conduct and head-contact rules. Team personnel, league officials and broadcasters have debated how to apply definitions of striking, punching and open-hand contact during games. The NFL's established fine schedule lists a specific amount for first-time offenders in the striking category, which is commonly applied when a player makes open- or closed-hand contact judged to be intentional.
The Week 1 matchup in Brazil marked the start of the regular season for both clubs and drew significant attention for its international setting and marquee players on both rosters. The Chargers' victory and the late-game penalty added to the postgame conversation, which figures to continue once the league posts the official discipline paperwork later Saturday.