NFL reveals Travis Kelce's penalty for his celebration after breaking Tony Gonzalez's Chiefs record

Travis Kelce's touchdown catch in Kansas City’s win over Pittsburgh was the 77th of his career, moving him past Tony Gonzalez on the Chiefs’ all-time list
PUBLISHED JAN 5, 2025
Travis Kelce was fined by the NFL for his celebration after breaking Tony Gonzalez's Chiefs record (Getty Images, Manny Hernandez/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce was fined by the NFL for his celebration after breaking Tony Gonzalez's Chiefs record (Getty Images, Manny Hernandez/Getty Images)

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: On Christmas Day, Travis Kelce etched his name further into Kansas City Chiefs history with a record-breaking touchdown but the celebratory tribute came at a price, Daily Mail reported.

The star tight end surpassed Tony Gonzalez's record for the most receiving touchdowns in a Chiefs uniform, celebrating the milestone with a slam-dunk through the uprights—a signature move of Gonzalez during his legendary career.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 4: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes part in pregame warmups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes part in pregame warmups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri (David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce fined for celebration, Tony Gonzalez offers to help pay

The NFL fined Travis Kelce more than $14,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, citing his use of a "prop" during the celebration.

Despite the penalty, Gonzalez, ever the good sport, has stepped in to offer assistance.



 

Gonzalez replied to Kelce on X that he would cover the fine for him in a gesture that underscores the camaraderie between the two Chiefs legends.



 

Kelce’s record-breaking moment came in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that clinched the No 1 playoff seed in the AFC.

Tony Gonzalez looks on from the TNF on Prime set prior to an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Tony Gonzalez looks on from the TNF on Prime set prior to an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The celebration, while costly, was a meaningful nod to Gonzalez, who played for Kansas City from 1997 to 2008 and retired with 111 career receiving touchdowns, 76 of which he scored in a Chiefs uniform.

Kelce's touchdown catch was the 77th of his career, moving him past the Hall of Famer on the Chiefs’ all-time list.

Kelce, who joined the Chiefs in 2013, has become synonymous with the franchise, much like Gonzalez before him.

With over a decade of loyalty to Kansas City, Kelce’s tribute wasn’t just a celebration of his own achievement but a salute to the legacy he’s building on Gonzalez’s foundation.

Travis Kelce reflects on retirement amid $14K fine

The fine, though symbolic, is barely a dent in Travis Kelce’s earnings.

Making roughly $1 million per game and with a net worth that matches his superstar status, the penalty amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist.

At 35 years old, Kelce has recently hinted at retirement.

On his 'New Heights' podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, Travis mused, “I don’t know if I have 40 NFL games left in me.”

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 4: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes part in pregame warmups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes part in pregame warmups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri (David Eulitt/Getty Images)

While his departure from the league may not be imminent, the thought of retirement looms, leaving Chiefs fans wondering how much longer their favorite tight end will continue to dominate the field.

Kelce’s fame has extended beyond football in recent seasons, thanks in part to his high-profile relationship with global pop icon Taylor Swift.

The romance has brought him widespread attention, opening new opportunities for the athlete.

From expanding the fan base for his 'New Heights' podcast to hosting Prime Video’s 'Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?', Kelce’s off-field presence is thriving. His relationship with Swift has not only elevated his profile but also made him a household name for fans who might otherwise have little interest in the NFL.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025