On September 8, Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid voiced frustration over the NFL’s decision not to eject Los Angeles Chargers DT Teair Tart after an apparent cheap shot on TE Travis Kelce. Speaking to reporters, Reid admitted he was baffled by the officials’ interpretation.
> _“Yeah I didn’t understand that by rule, I guess it’s open handed, I don’t know what their decision was on that. He definitely got hit in the head pretty hard whether it was open fist or closed fist.”_
The incident occurred on Sept. 6 in São Paulo, Brazil, during the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 27-21 loss to the Chargers. After a two-yard run by RB Kareem Hunt with 8:13 left, Tart struck Kelce on the facemask following a brief tussle on a block. At that point, Kelce had just one reception for 10 yards.
Officials, though, flagged Tart for unnecessary roughness, advancing the ball to the Chargers’ 11-yard line. Patrick Mahomes scored on the ensuing 11-yard run to trim KC’s deficit to 13-12, though Harrison Butker missed the extra point.
Andy Reid’s comment on this goes to show how inconsistencies in officiating could shape key moments early in the season.
**Andy Reid’s right – Teair Tart should’ve been ejected for slapping Travis Kelce**
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Jul 21, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart (90) at training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on field against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
If you ask me, yes – Tart should’ve been ejected for hitting Kelce. That hit landed hard, and it probably was meant to.
In the Sept. 6 game, the DT struck Kelce across the facemask. Officials ruled unnecessary roughness but did not eject Tart, a decision that drew widespread criticism. That makes little sense to me because Deion Sanders’ son, Shilo Sanders, was ejected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the same reason. So, why the double standards?
However, former NFL referee Terry McAulay explained on the broadcast that Tart stayed because he used an open palm instead of a closed fist.
Under NFL rules, a player can be disqualified for swinging or punching at the head or neck. Open-hand contact at the line of scrimmage carries a 15-yard penalty but is not automatically flagrant. Tart’s hit was compared to Eagles DL Jalen Carter’s ejection the night before.
Do you think Tart should’ve been ejected for hitting Kelce? Drop your take in the comments below!