Controversial Signing: Chiefs Add Justin Tucker Amidst Backlash

The Kansas City Chiefs stirred controversy in the NFL by signing Justin Tucker to their practice squad on Wednesday. Tucker, a former Baltimore Ravens kicker, has been out of the league since 2024 following accusations of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists in Baltimore. These allegations originate from incidents between 2012 and 2016.

The Chiefs faced immediate backlash on social media for bringing in a player like Tucker. Fans quickly recalled an incident involving Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Tucker during the 2024 AFC Championship Game. Tucker had disrupted the Chiefs’ warm-up area, leading to a heated exchange with Kelce.

Kelce addressed this incident on his “New Heights” podcast. He stated, “We’re warming up, and we do our same warm-up every single time. If you’re trying to go to the other team’s designated area, you kind of stay out of their way. You don’t interfere with what they have going on. That’s the unwritten rule.” He added, “Justin came out and he said it was more of a joking gesture and a kind of fun competition.”

Kelce expressed his willingness to outdo Tucker if such behavior continued. As the news broke, fans found humor in the situation, speculating about potential awkwardness between the two now that they are teammates.

• A fan joked, “Maybe the Chiefs just did this so Kelce can bully Tucker on the regular.”
• Another fan commented, “Tucker was never the same after Travis put a curse on him and now they’re teammates, what are we doing.”
• One user remarked, “They are meeting at the flagpole. Fights on.”
• Another noted, “Well, practice will be interesting.”
• A fan recalled the podcast incident, “Never forget Travis Kelce going after Justin Tucker on his podcast over his pregame routine in the AFC Championship.”
• One fan replied, “I just remembered this incident and now they’re teammates, lmao I’m sure things won’t be awkward at all.”