The tension between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens was palpable early on Sunday.
During pregame warmups leading up to the AFC Championship Game between the two teams, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tossed aside Ravens kicker Justin Tucker’s equipment as the players exchanged words over warmup territory at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
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Videos circulating on social media showed Kelce moving Tucker’s balls, helmet and kicking tee as the kicker stretched by the end zone ahead of the game while Mahomes warmed up nearby. Additional clips showed Mahomes moving Tucker’s kicking tee while he threw warmup passes, and the two exchanging words.
That wasn’t the only pregame spat. Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet had to be restrained from a few of the Chiefs’ defensive backs who were warming up near midfield. Maulet was ushered away by a Ravens assistant coach.
The Ravens and Chiefs are playing each other for only the second time in the postseason. They faced off in the wild-card round in 2011, with the Ravens winning 30-7. The Chiefs, however, lead the regular-season series, 7-4.
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Required reading
- Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce push Chiefs to halftime lead over Ravens in AFC Championship Game
- Chiefs TE Travis Kelce passes Jerry Rice for most postseason receptions in NFL history
- Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson trade ridiculous plays in the first half of AFC Championship
(Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images)