The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Baltimore Ravens in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. However, that almost didn’t happen thanks to a costly fumble by wide receiver Mecole Hardman. While the speedster received the blame on social media, Travis Kelce has revealed a different story.
Kansas City had just stopped Buffalo on a fourth-down attempt, giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes the football in Bills’ territory with a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter. On 1st-and-goal from the 2-yard line, the Chiefs drew up a trick play to try and snag a two-score advantage over Buffalo.
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Mahomes flipped the football to Hardman on a shuffle pass behind the line of scrimmage and the Chiefs’ receiver had blockers in front of him to clear a path for a potential touchdown. After clearing the line of scrimmage, Hardman approached the goal line with three Bills’ defenders around him.
As Kansas City’s offensive weapon was brought to the ground by linebacker Tyrel Dodson, safety Jordan Poyer reached in and helped punch the football loose as Hardman swung his body around to try and cross the goal line. The football popped out and rolled out of the end zone, resulting in a costly touchback for Kansas City.
Everyone on social media immediately blamed Hardman for the costly turnover, blaming his overaggressiveness for trying to make a play on first down. While the Chiefs’ wideout continued to receive blame in the days to come, Kelce has since cleared up what happened.
On the latest episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce took responsibility for Hardman’s goal-line fumble and even suggested he feels like he owes the Chiefs’ receiver a new car or some symbol of his regret.
“I’m not gonna lie man, I owe Mecole a (expletive) a new car or something. I owe so much to him man. My block was the one that knocked the ball out and I’ve been (expletive) sick. I apologized to him every single time I saw him today and I’ll apologie again, my bad Mecole, man, My guy’s just trying ton be great, get the ball in the end zone. I’m thinking it’s a speed-type. Speed where outside if the guy goes inside. He finished the play better than I did. Got a hand on the ball, man, I owe my guy big time.”
Travis Kelce on Mecole Hardman’s fumble in the AFC Divisional Round
As Kelce mentioned, it was his block and Poyer getting through that ultimately caused the fumble. If not for that, at the very least, the Chiefs’ offense has the football at the 1-yard line with second-and-goal. Considering how well Kansas City moved the football against Buffalo, that’s likely at least another 3 points on the board.
Fortunately, as Kelce mentioned, Hardman remains in good spirits and isn’t allowing the fumble to hang over him heading into the AFC Championship Game. While the Chiefs’ receivers have made plenty of mistakes this season, Hardman evidently wasn’t to blame for the fumble. Kelce’s transparency and accountability is also one of the reasons why he’s one of the most beloved players in the Chiefs locker room.