"Shouldn’t even be able to work at f**king Foot Locker": When Travis Kelce demanded referee to be booted from NFL

Referees play an integral part in football games. They attempt to ensure that games are played fairly. However, sometimes decisions can go against teams that may cost them games. Such an incident occurred when the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Chiefs in January 2017.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was so frustrated with a decision that he couldn’t hold himself back while criticizing the referee, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.

“It's ignorance. The ref No. 51 shouldn't even be able to wear a zebra jersey ever again," Kelce said. "He shouldn't even be able to work at f***ing Foot Locker.”

Travis Kelce feels robbed of win by Carl Cheffers

Travis Kelce was referring to a late call by referee Carl Cheffers that he felt cost the Chiefs a divisional playoff game, which Kansas City lost 18-16 on Jan. 15, 2017, at Arrowhead Stadium, courtesy of six Pittsburgh field goals.

The ending of the game created a lot of buzz as the Chiefs lost an opportunity to take the game to overtime. With 2:43 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs closed to 18-16 on Spencer Ware's 1-yard touchdown run. Thus, quarterback Alex Smith opted for a two-point attempt instead of a one-point kick. However, the Chiefs failed to convert a two-point conversion pass.

Before that failed attempt, the Chiefs had successfully executed their two-point attempt. However, offensive tackle Eric Fisher was penalized for holding, negating the tying score. The Steelers then ensured that the ball never went back to the Chiefs.

“It sucks. This sucks,” Kelce said. “It was an unbelievable play call. ... Alex just drove us down there, fourth down after fourth down, making plays, making plays. The momentum is getting on our side, and then we just get our jugulars ripped out because the refs felt bad for James Harrison falling on the ground.”

Alex Smith shared a similar sentiment but expressed it more mildly:

“I’ve seen a lot worse not called.”

NFL fines Travis Kelce for his criticism

Because the NFL takes care in protecting its officials, Travis Kelce was penalized for his criticism of Carl Cheffers. Adam Teicher reported that the TE was fined $12,500 for the comments and $9,115 for his behavior towards Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell.

“The NFL felt that Kelce, by specifically identifying Cheffers and criticizing not just one specific holding call but Cheffers' competence in general, had crossed the line,” Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith wrote.

Smith also confirmed that the league felt the flag on the holding call by Cheffers was the correct call. Cheffers later officiated the Super Bowl game that season.