The moment during Patrick Mahomes’ touchdown has sparked plenty of debate 👀🏈 #TravisKelce #PatrickMahomes #ChiefsKingdom #NFL #Chiefs

Outrage Erupts as NFL Fails to Punish Travis Kelce During Patrick Mahomes’ TD Against Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs opened up their scorebook with a touchdown in the first quarter of the Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos. Patrick Mahomes scrambled up the middle for 15 yards from the Denver 15-yard line on second-and-15, reaching the end zone for a touchdown. The touchdown gave Kansas City the game’s first six points before Harrison Butker’s extra point made it 7-0. However, the touchdown also drew attention to an apparent hold by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Near the end zone, Kelce appeared to grab Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga and pull him to the ground as Hufanga moved toward Mahomes. The play prompted debate over whether the contact warranted a holding penalty, as none was called.

But ESPN’s Troy Aikman certainly called the hold on air, and the recap confirmed it.

“Travis Kelce might have gotten away with a hold,” Aikman said. “But Patrick Mahomes, he does not protect himself as he thought he might. He takes it into the end zone. But here’s a look at what looked to be a hold by Travis Kelce at the end of the play.”

ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk agreed with Aikman.

“Yeah Troy, I agree with you. You could see Travis puts his left arm out and restricts over the chest of the defender trying to make the tackle. And that prevents him from really being able to get there. …I think it’s tough for the officials to see, but it is a hold.”

Even Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe had to take it to X, writing: “Refs not calling holding on Neph (Kelce) is crazy.”

It’s worth noting that Kelce’s hold came after the Chiefs got a 10-yard penalty on the previous play. At 8:27 on the clock in the first quarter, Mahomes scrambled for 5 yards for a touchdown. But the touchdown was nullified by a penalty. The officials penalized Kahlil Benson for offensive holding.