Travis Kelce, Chiefs Teammates Draw Backlash After Wearing 'Free 4' Shirts for Suspended Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and at least one teammate drew widespread criticism after appearing on the field before Sunday’s game wearing shirts that appeared to show support for suspended receiver Rashee Rice.

Kelce was photographed in a shirt featuring multiple images of Rice and the phrase “Free 4.” Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was also seen wearing similar attire. The display came as Rice was serving a six-game suspension imposed by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Rice was suspended after pleading guilty in July to a third-degree felony count of collision involving serious bodily injury and a third-degree felony count of causing bodily injury for a March 2024 highway racing incident in Dallas. The crash, which police say involved a Lamborghini driven by Rice and another vehicle driven by former SMU teammate Theodore Knox, resulted in a multi-vehicle collision that sent multiple people to the hospital.

As part of his sentence, Rice received five years of probation and 30 days of jail time and was ordered to pay $115,481.91 in medical expenses. He also reached a civil settlement with two victims for $1 million plus legal expenses and still faces an additional lawsuit from another victim, according to court records and reports.

The NFL announced a six-game suspension for Rice after his guilty plea, and he missed Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles — the second game of that suspension. Kansas City lost the contest 20-17. The Chiefs, who were seeking a measure of revenge from a previous meeting with the Eagles, struggled offensively; multiple breakdowns on the offensive line contributed to quarterback Patrick Mahomes taking two sacks and 10 total quarterback hits, and a late touchdown fell short of a comeback.

Images of Kelce and Thornton in the shirts prompted critical reactions on social media, with some users questioning the optics of supporting a player convicted in a case that injured bystanders. Posts on X referenced the seriousness of the crash and said the gesture was inappropriate. One user wrote, "4 could have killed people Not a good look for Kelce." Another wrote, "Maybe he shouldn't break the law...just saying..." and another said, "Seriously? The man was speeding and caused a multi vehicle collision and we want to free him?"

The Chiefs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kelce, a long-time team leader and a high-profile player, has in the past used his platform to advocate for teammates; his appearance in the shirt represents a public show of support for Rice that some fans and observers found troubling given the legal and civil outcomes of the crash.

Rice’s suspension is part of the NFL’s broader enforcement of its personal conduct policy, which the league has used to discipline players whose off-field conduct results in criminal convictions, significant civil liability or actions the NFL deems detrimental to the league. The team’s actions and the fan response underscore tensions that can arise when teammates publicly back colleagues facing legal and public-relations consequences.

Rice’s lawyers, team representatives and the NFL have previously issued statements during the case affirming the legal process; no new legal filings were reported in connection with the incident as of Sunday. The Chiefs return to the field next week as Rice continues to serve his league suspension.