Travis Kelce was fortunate to avoid punishment as he and Patrick Mahomes returned to Arrowhead Stadium, with fans already claiming in Week 1 that NFL officials are 'rigged'
Travis Kelce escaped a holding penalty as Patrick Mahomes rushed into the end zone
Travis Kelce escaped a holding penalty as Patrick Mahomes rushed into the end zone(Image: ESPN)
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Patrick Mahomes announced his return from injury by scoring a 15-yard touchdown for the Kansas City Chiefs, but NFL fans have claimed that the officials were on their side after a Travis Kelce hold was missed in the buildup.
The Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos in the first Monday Night Football of the new season, and Mahomes was cleared to start after tearing his ACL and LCL in December. Kelce was also back on the field, after teasing his retirement but committing to at least one more season.
The ESPN broadcast suffered major technical issues toward the end of the first quarter, but fans were still furious after what appeared to be a missed holding call during Mahomes' touchdown. It comes after Pat McAfee made his MNF debut and fans demanded that ESPN remove him.
Mahomes instantly silenced any doubters after suiting up for Week 1, scoring within the first seven minutes of his comeback. Mahomes scrambled to the end zone, and Arrowhead Stadium went wild, and those on the Chiefs' sideline were also fired up for the quarterback.
However, Kelce was seen holding Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga in front of the end zone as he attempted to block Mahomes' path. Kelce was initially open for a pass, but had to become a blocker once Mahomes crossed the line of scrimmage on the scramble.
ESPN's on-air rules analyst for MNF, Russell Yurk, claimed that the hold may not have been seen by the officials. That was until further replay angles showed one official at the back of the end zone, and three others nearby.
The play occurred after Kelce's wife, Taylor Swift, had made her way to the Arrowhead suite alongside actor Tom Cruise. Fans were furious that Kelce got away with it and vented about the officials on social media.
"Kelce with a clear hold in front of the ref with no call," one angry user wrote on X. "This game was rigged for the Chiefs before Tom Cruise and Taylor Swift got to their seats."
Another added, "Same old rigged game. The refs a meter from the play didn't call Kelce holding. Somethings never change."
A third fan wrote, "Ya let’s ignore the massive hold by Kelce in front of 4 refs not called. Not rigged at all."
Patrick Mahomes scored on his return for the Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes scored on his return for the Kansas City Chiefs(Image: 2026 Michael Owens)
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Another fan claimed that even veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers would have strolled into the end zone. "A clear hold of Kelce. With referees like this, even Aaron Rodgers could run a touchdown," they said.
"Kelce made a giant holding on Hufanga. Even you could score that. What a rigged game when the Chiefs play," one fan said in agreement.
Another joked that the officials were feeling generous to Kelce after he married Taylor Swift this summer. "Refs gave Kelce a little belated wedding present not calling that hold."