In the Chargers’ win over the Chiefs this past Friday, there was an altercation between defensive tackle Teair Tart and tight end Travis Kelce, where Tart struck Kelce’s head with an open hand.
It occurred in the third quarter during a two-yard run by running back Kareem Hunt. Kelce, who was blocking during the play, shoved Tart, who then retaliated.
Kansas City head coach Andy Reid sounded off on the incident, expressing confusion and disagreement with the NFL’s decision not to eject Tart.
“I don’t understand that rule,” Reid said. “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 first or a closed fist.”
Tart remained in the game following the strike to Kelce’s head. According to rules analyst Terry McAulay, Tart was not ejected because the contact was open-handed and therefore not classified as a disqualifying punch under league rules.
Reid plans to discuss the matter with the league, but he refrained from further elaboration to avoid potential fines.
“I’ll work out that with the league,” he said. “I can’t get into all that.”
Tart was key in Los Angeles’ victory, finishing with a pair of crucial passes defended.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Andy Reid sounds off on the altercation between Teair Tart and Travis Kelce
Reporting by Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
